Important Update About Support for Carers in Cornwall

Joint message from Cornwall Carers Service and Cornwall Council

The current Cornwall Carers Service contract will end on 31 October 2026. A new arrangement for carer support services will begin from 1 November 2026.

We understand that changes to services can feel uncertain and we want to reassure you that support for carers will continue throughout this transition.

What this means for you now

For the time being, it is business as usual.

Until 31 October 2026:

  • You can continue to contact Cornwall Carers Service in the usual way for information, advice and support.

  • Carers' Needs Assessments will continue to be available.

  • Carers' grants, support groups and signposting services will continue.

  • No action is required from you at this time.

Please be assured that support will not stop suddenly and we are committed to ensuring carers continue to receive the help they need throughout this period.

Changes to Carers Support services

From 1 July 2026, new specialist support services for carers will begin to be introduced across Cornwall.

Alongside the existing service, the following specialist services will become available:

  • Young Carer Support

  • Parent Carer Specialist Support

  • Mental Health Carer Specialist Support

  • Dementia Carer Specialist Support

These services are designed to provide more tailored support to carers with specific needs and circumstances.

Cornwall Carers Service will continue to provide support until 31 October 2026. The full new model, including the new core carers service and specialist services, will be in place from 1 November 2026.

What happens next

We are working closely with Cornwall Council to finalise arrangements for future carer support services.

Some details are still being confirmed and we will continue to keep carers informed as plans develop.

We are committed to providing clear and timely updates, including:

  • What has been confirmed

  • What is still being finalised

  • When further information will be available

Your information and how it will be used during the transition

To help ensure your support continues without interruption, information held about you by Cornwall Carers Service will be securely transferred as part of the transition to the new arrangements.

What will happen

  • Your information will be securely transferred from Cornwall Carers Service to Cornwall Council.

  • Cornwall Council will then securely share relevant information with the new service provider.

  • This will help ensure that you do not need to repeat your circumstances and that support can continue as smoothly as possible.

  • The transfer is planned to take place during the final week of October 2026.

How your information will be protected

  • Information will be transferred securely from our Charitylog system.

  • It will only be accessed by authorised personnel involved in managing the transition.

  • All transfers will follow strict data protection and information security requirements.

  • Cornwall Carers Service and Cornwall Council are committed to handling your information safely, securely and lawfully.

What information will be shared

  • To support continuity of support, the following information may be shared:

    • Your name and contact details

    • Date of birth

    • Gender and ethnicity (where recorded)

    • Information held within your carer record

    • Details relevant to your support needs and engagement with the service

    Only information that is necessary to support you will be shared.

Why we are sharing your information

  • Sharing information will help to:

    • Ensure continuity of support during the transition

    • Reduce the need for you to repeat your circumstances

    • Enable the new provider to understand your needs from the outset

    The lawful basis for sharing this information is the performance of a public task, as these services are commissioned by Cornwall Council to support unpaid carers.

Your choices and your rights

  • We want to be open and transparent about how your information is used.

    • If you are happy for your information to be transferred, you do not need to do anything.

    • If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

    • If you do not want your information to be shared with the new provider, please let us know by Friday 16 October 2026 by emailing carersteam@cornwallrcc.org.uk.

    We will respect your rights and can discuss any implications of your decision with you.

Our commitment to your privacy

  • We follow a "privacy by design" approach, meaning data protection is built into everything we do.

  • We will retain a secure copy of your information for up to six years in line with contractual and legal requirements.

  • Your information will not be used for any purpose unrelated to the delivery of carer support services.

For further information, please see:

Thank you for everything you do as an unpaid carer and for the trust you have placed in Cornwall Carers Service.

Your experiences, insights and feedback have helped shape support for carers across Cornwall and continue to inform future service development.

We will continue to keep you updated as further information becomes available.