Enfield Carers Centre was delighted to host a visit by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) Permanent Secretary Peter Schofield, with colleagues Fiona Walshe and Harriette Drew, in February 2026.

This fact-finding session, arranged by Carers Trust, was an opportunity for the DWP team to hear about the role of local carer services like ours, the impact we have, and the issues that carers tell us they are facing.

In particular our Carers Advice & Support Manager Danny Newland, and our Benefits Adviser Tianna Cavalho, talked about the frontline work they do, helping carers with the financial impacts of caring, navigating the benefits that they are entitled to, and balancing paid work and care.

Carer Ashlea Tamburrini, who looks after her autistic adult daughter Natalie, talked to the group about the challenge of finding work for her daughter, and for herself, and gave everyone much food for thought.

Dominic King-Carter and Ramzi Suleiman from Carers Trust policy team had brokered the session, and talked about the work of their organisation, advocating for unpaid carers and campaigning for carers to be better financially supported through the social security system, and secure better employment support for those who can work.

The Permanent Secretary is the head of the department, responsible for the effectiveness and efficiency of the department’s work and its spending.

Carer Ashlea Tamburrini with DWP Permanent Secretary Peter Schofield, at Enfield Carers Centre.
Ashlea talked to Sir Peter about the challenges of finding work for her adult autistic daughter, and herself.

Teams from Enfield Carers Centre, and DWP talked about the issues and possible solutions to issues faced by unpaid carers

Photo shows (from L to R)
Tim Hellings, Chair, Enfield Carers Centre; Ramzi Suleiman,  Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Carers Trust; Danny Newland, Carers Advice & Support Manager, Enfield Carers Centre; Tianna Cavalho,  Benefits Adviser, Enfield Carers Centre; Dominic King-Carter,  Director of Policy & Public Affairs, Carers Trust; Pamela Burke, Chief Executive, Enfield Carers Centre; Fiona Walshe, DWP Director State Pensions, Families and Devolution; Peter Schofield, DWP Permanent Secretary; Harriette Drew, Permanent Secretary’s Office, DWP