Unpaid carers play a vital role in helping people remain independent, connected to their communities and able to live well at home. During 2025/26, 5,834 carers were registered with Torbay Carers and 1,861 carers received support, assessments, reviews or wellbeing interventions. Feedback from the National Carers Survey also showed improving experiences and outcomes for carers.
Throughout the year, we continued to strengthen the information, advice and support available to carers. This included the launch of Bridgit, a new digital platform providing information and planning tools, alongside continued support through Signposts for Carers, the Torbay Carers Passport and Carer Support Workers based within community and health services.
Carers told us that timely information, emotional support and opportunities for a break from caring were particularly important. In response, we expanded replacement care services, including volunteer-led sitting services, enhanced support for people with more complex needs and emergency care-at-home provision to help prevent carers reaching crisis point.
The videos below highlight some of the support available to unpaid carers across Torbay and the difference it can make to people's lives.
Find out how the Carers Passport provides practical support, emergency planning and access to a range of benefits for carers.
Local Carer Brian tells us why he finds the Carers Passport so helpful.
The Torbay Carers Passport includes: - Emergency back-up plan. If you are unexpectedly unable to care - Free hospital parking when supporting the person you care for - Discounts in some local shops and hotels - Extra support when the person you care for is in hospital - Extra support with employment, education or training Brian is one of a number of local Carers who have spoken to us for this year's Local Accounts Summary. if you are a Carer you can contact Torbay Carers service on 01803 666620 or email signposts@nhs.net
Carol who is a local Carer talks about how her Carer Support Worker helped her to access counselling services. Carol is one of a number of local Carers who have spoken to us for this year's Local Accounts Summary. if you are a Carer you can contact Torbay Carers service on 01803 666620 or email signposts@nhs.net
Peter, who is a Carer for his wife Margaret, spoke to us about the help he gets from Torbay Carer Support Workers and about Signposts for Carers, the Torbay Carers newsletter. He is one of a number of local Carers who have spoken to us for this year's Local Accounts Summary. if you are a Carer you can contact Torbay Carers service on 01803 666620 or email signposts@nhs.net
Heidi who is one of our Autism Ambassadors talks about her experience living with Autism in Torbay. She talks about getting her initial diagnosis 20 years ago, local support groups, her role as an Autism Ambassador, and Torbay's Autism Strategy. Heidi also talks about her role as an Oliver McGowan Trainer for Torbay and Devon. The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is named after Oliver MacGowan whose death shone a light on the need for health and social care staff to have better training.
Jack Sears Rehabilitation Centre celebrated its first birthday with staff and former patients on Friday 20 June 2025. Jack Sears House is a 29-bedded rehabilitation centre based in Paignton and offers high-quality treatment to residents of Torbay and South Devon who require a period rehabilitation and supports patients with regaining independence and returning home. Its focus is on supporting an active recovery for all individuals with recent changes to their health needs to support with a strength-based approach. The rehab support is provided by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and comprises of a therapy lead, an assistant practitioner, physiotherapist, occupational therapist and our discharge coordinator who are based at the unit. In this video we speak with former patient Sabine Bueker and her daughter Gesche Bueker who attended the event. Both were kind enough to share with us their views on Jack Sears, and to speak about the care Sabine received during her stay here.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated Torbay’s Adult Social Care services as ‘Good’ following an inspection in September 2025, reflecting strong performance in co-production, integration, and person-centred care. In April 2023, CQC was given new powers to inspect and intervene with councils on their social care provision to make sure people get the best quality care and support. This is the first time Adult Social Care services in Torbay have received a holistic assessment under these powers. Adult Social Care is provided by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of Torbay Council as part of the Integrated Care Partnership. CQC use a four-point rating system - Outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate. Torbay has been rated as Good overall. To find out more and read the full report from CQC visit the Adult Social Care section.
Watch Mike Fuller, the Chair of our Learning Disability Partnership Board, talk with Council Leader David Thomas about the first ever Big BASH event which was held during Learning Disability Week on Wednesday 17 June at Torbay Leisure Centre.
The event was a great success, attended by hundreds of people and the plan is for it to become an annual event. BASH stands for Being Active, Safe and Healthy and the event demonstrated lots of ways we can get active and stay safe and healthy.
There were more than 50 local organisations attending, with activities including Zumba, laughing yoga, ROC Active Sessions, and safety talks from Devon and Cornwall Police, the RNLI and many others. The event follows the success of the Ambassadors event last year and forms part of the longer-term strategy. Read ‘The Big Plan for Learning Disabilities’.