In 1999 the government published the National strategy for Carers called 'Caring about Carers'. In the forward Tony Blair talked of the 'extraordinary work which carers devoting a large part of their own lives to the lives of others'. Describing carers as 'unsung heroes' the strategy document argues that they need to be recognised and valued for what they contribute and be properly supported to continue their caring role. The strategy calls for developments in three areas:

• More and better information
• More and better support
• More targeted support for carers themselves - care for the carers.

As part of the strategy a new special grant was made available to enable Local authorities to develop short-term breaks, called the Carers Special grant. Local authorities were required to undertake extensive consultations with local carers to help decide local priorities. In some areas they simply failed to talk to the organisations representing family carers of people with learning disabilities.

In the first year the Special Grant only 65% of the money went directly on developing short term breaks and some local authorities were criticised for spending the grant money on things like carers workers and administration costs. Some local authorities were also criticised for failing to reach out and find the more hard to reach carers like older family carers of people with learning disabilities and families from black and ethnic minority communities. In it discussion of support to carers the White Paper, Valuing People recommends targeting both these groups for particular attention.