ACE National: Mainstreaming Toolkit

Resources for local authorities, care trusts and NHS trusts to develop services that enable carers to remain in or return to work

Introduction to the toolkit

The commitment of local authorities and other relevant agencies to provide the support services necessary for carers to be able to consider employment options was critical to the success of ACE which was in existence 2002 – 2007.

This toolkit is for a range of agencies and contains

• convincing reasons why they should attach priority to the development of services for carers
• resources to assist them to make progress in this area
• examples of good practice

There are key materials (in the form of downloads or links) that have emerged either directly or indirectly from the work of the ACE National Project, the Beacon Authorities, DH, SCIE, CSCI, CSIP, IDEA and ADASS and Carers UK.

About ACE National

The highly successful Action for Carers and Employment partnership, led by Carers UK, undertook ground breaking work in supporting the inclusion of carers in training and work, funded by the European Social Fund's Equal Programme.

ACE National was funded by the European Social Fund’s EQUAL Programme 2002 – 2007 to create improved opportunities for carers to be able to remain in or return to work. A critical factor in achieving this was the partnership created with a range of organisations including the third sector, employers, research and development, government departments and health and social care agencies.

ACE, along with the local authorities awarded Beacon status by IDeA for services to carers, wanted to leave a permanent legacy with an expectation that DH, SCIE, CSCI, CSIP, IDEA and ADASS and Carers UK identify a way of developing the ‘legacy’ for years to come. This toolkit is part of that legacy.