Carers Consultation Somerset County Council

Transcription

1 Carers Consultation Somerset County Council 13 th December 2011 Issue/ statement raised at Access to Carer s Services Issues regarding the role of the GP champion and how much time they are allowed to spend on carer issues (varies from practice to practice). Issues re: - Carer Support Workers becoming generic Social Workers rather than specialising in carer issues. No information given when CSW left and information about whether a replacement would be available. Told that they didn t need a CSW or social worker Query regarding number of carers allowed per person. Within the new service there should be no criteria for being classed as a carer e.g. how many hours you care for etc. Calls to Somerset Direct are too expensive. Concerns regarding commissioning services from the 3 rd sector that may Role of the GP Champion needs to be strengthened The role that they carry out will be replaced in the main by the new service with the exception of the assessment function which will stay within SCC Adult Social Care. There is no limit on the amount of carers a person can have e.g. a different carer during the day than during the night. If you care for someone in any way and class yourself as a carer then you will be treated as a carer. New service would need to use a local rate number. One number, one organisation Basing the carers support service in the GP federation areas will raise awareness of carers issues to GPs. Carers Champions will be supported by the new organisation. The new organisation will work closely with the adult social care teams to ensure that the full range of carers needs are being met, whether that is assessment or support. The adult social care teams are still supporting carers and specific concerns / complaints need to be directed to the team in the first instance. The new service will be for all carers and there will be no eligibility criteria. All carers will be able to access the new service, whether or not they share caring responsibilities. As above We will look into the issue of free calls / local charges when we set up the new service. This is to be addressed through a robust commissioning process. Following EU regulations and incorporating carers in

2 then collapse and leave people with no service. Support needs to be available before a crisis i.e. continual, potentially low level support to prevent a crisis arising GP practices are the main starting point for many new carers so it is very important. Network of trained volunteers useful to keep carers updated about changes in legislation and also a way of making friends Where is a good place to go for Carer s Services? A drop in session held at a community hall connected to a GP surgery or other suitable community space. This would negate the need to make an appointment with the GP surgery. It would be beneficial if it was possible for someone to visit people in their homes, at least in the first instance, so that they can see the circumstances/ surroundings that the carer lives in. Face to face contact both in and out of the home; need to be able to talk about It is currently difficult to access advice on specific problems, emotional support and carer assessment/ support GP surgery a useful base for carer s support service. Could also use Women s Institute and local clubs Currently access information via the internet, other carers, social services. It would be good to have a named person to speak to for advice or help It is essential that there is plenty of parking and that the buildings are accessible. The carer s assessment takes place in the home; however, not everyone would be at the stage of needing or wanting an assessment. Need to have a manned office with telephone cover. Need to raise the evaluation process in order to ensure the right organisation gets the tender and that they are financially robust enough to carry out the services. This will also be taken account of through contract monitoring and review meetings by SCC Commissioning Care and Support. The aim of the new service is to help identify carers at an early stage in their caring role, and to prevent escalation of problems by identifying with carers possible solutions before a crisis happens. Access to this kind of support should be freely available, and at times to suit carers wherever possible. Other outlets for information and advice for people who rarely attend the GP will also be part of the new service. Network of trained volunteers is planned within the new service. We will note the need for good accessibility and parking when setting up the new service Home visits by workers in the new organisation will be possible. There will be a manned office 5 days a week. Out of hours support numbers will be made available to carers.

3 things without the cared for person awareness of Carer Champions in being there. GP surgeries Those working with carers need to be properly trained and need to be able to make carers aware of what is available for them. GP surgeries should be convenient for most people as there is generally one in every town and some villages. If carers knew that information was readily available at GP surgeries they would be likely to drop in. Carers Support Groups more suitable for those caring for a spouse or parent. Not as useful for those caring for a child as not as much in common with the other carers Breaks how could the new organisation help facilitate these? Breaks are essential. A buddy system would be useful (help with going out shopping etc.). A sitting service. Respite care can be expensive; need New organisation needs to be able help with this. 3 rd sector organisation to understand and support people would be able to fund raise which could with issues relating to the benefits help this situation. system. Assessment of need This function will still be carried out by the social work team What will happen regarding the different systems used by Learning Disabilities and Mental Health? What happens when there is a cross over between these different services? The new organisation will have experience of working with carers, and also a training and supervision programme that is carried out with their staff and volunteers. See above See above Where a local need for parent carers is made known to the new organisation, it is anticipated that ways to support that need will be found. This may be by a support group, but there may be other options as well. The new organisation will offer practical support to carers requiring breaks. Benefits information will be part of the new service. There should not be a cross over where a statutory need is being met. However, some carers may be able to have a choice over how their support needs are met. All carers will be able to access the new service.

4 Issues relating to the transition between children and adult services Commissioning Process Concerns regarding length of the tendering process. Carers need to have their say in the commissioning process. This could be resolved by operating a system of two evaluation panels; one for professional and one for carers. Emotional support Need somebody to talk to when things get desperate e.g. haven t been able to sleep for days etc. Emotional support could potentially be provided by both professionals and volunteers Sitting service need to be able to phone up the carer organisation and have someone to come and sit with you to provide a break for the carer. This could also be provided by volunteers. Carer organisation needs to be able to deal with the whole range of caring responsibilities e.g. physical disabilities, mental health, autism, young carers. Need to avoid a situation where people cannot access a service because they do not fit the criteria. Part of the emotional support could be the provision of someone to help you forward plan for crisis points. Properly trained volunteers could provide the information and support. Need support during out of hours/ weekends etc. Buddy system? Need to ensure that workers are adequately trained to cope with the full range of issues. Organisation needs to know where to signpost on complex issues. Needs to have good working relationships with other key organisations. Transitions is undergoing review but remains a concern for many parents. Emotional support for parent carers will be available from the new service. Current arrangements will be kept in place and a phased handover to the new organisation is planned. The new organisation will be expected to continue to work with existing providers where appropriate A carers panel will be recruited for the tender process, including evaluation of bids and interviews. This will be part of the new service. This will be part of the new service The new organisation will offer support to all carers, recognising that needs vary greatly whatever the condition of the person they care for. Specialist services linked to conditions will be available, and the new organisation will signpost appropriately.

5 People do not want to be left in the dark. They need to be communicated with about changes etc. The new service will promote carer and user involvement, and is all about good communication.