The course covers:
- who is a carer
- their rights
- what support is available from the council
- where to find further information
- knowledge test and certificate.
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Thursday, 23 February 2012
Get care smart on line
Carer Aware is an online training course and information toolkit provided by Dudley Borough Council for carers, people who work with carers, or anyone interested in finding out more about the caring role.
The course covers:
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The course covers:
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Safeguarding for commissioners
Two new guides offering information and advice on safeguarding people who live in residential and care homes, are available from the Social Care Institute for Excellence.
Produced to help NHS and local authority commissioners, the first guide, Safeguarding and quality in commissioning care homes, shows how safeguarding in care homes should be central to the commissioning process. The guide reflects the government’s six principles designed to increase the protection of those most at risk.
The second guide, Commissioning care homes: common safeguarding challenges, identifies issues that commonly lead to safeguarding referrals from care homes, and includes prevention checklists.
More
Produced to help NHS and local authority commissioners, the first guide, Safeguarding and quality in commissioning care homes, shows how safeguarding in care homes should be central to the commissioning process. The guide reflects the government’s six principles designed to increase the protection of those most at risk.
The second guide, Commissioning care homes: common safeguarding challenges, identifies issues that commonly lead to safeguarding referrals from care homes, and includes prevention checklists.
More
Move towards new disability strategy
Disabled people are invited by the Office for Disability Issues to submit suggestions for inclusion in a new cross government disability strategy.
A discussion document has been published to start the debate. Fulfilling Potential outlines government’s ambition to assist disabled people in reaching their full potential and to play a full role in society.
Deadline for contributions is 9 March 2012.
More
A discussion document has been published to start the debate. Fulfilling Potential outlines government’s ambition to assist disabled people in reaching their full potential and to play a full role in society.
Deadline for contributions is 9 March 2012.
More
One in 10 asked to give their views
Over 1,000 people using adult social care services in Shropshire have been urged to share their thoughts and ideas on the care and support provided by the council, and on how services affect their quality of life.
The Adult Social Care Survey, runs until the 9 March 2012, and will be added to results from a major consultation carried out by the council last year, which led to a new strategy for adult social care.
The latest initiative invites one in 10 people receiving nursing, residential and home care services to give their views. Findings will help the council to identify the services that are valued most and the areas where further improvements can be made.
The same survey is also underway in Coventry where up to 6,000 use services ranging from help for disabled people to home meals and occupational therapy.
The survey is a government initiative and is a compulsory for all councils providing adult social care services.
More
The Adult Social Care Survey, runs until the 9 March 2012, and will be added to results from a major consultation carried out by the council last year, which led to a new strategy for adult social care.
The latest initiative invites one in 10 people receiving nursing, residential and home care services to give their views. Findings will help the council to identify the services that are valued most and the areas where further improvements can be made.
The same survey is also underway in Coventry where up to 6,000 use services ranging from help for disabled people to home meals and occupational therapy.
The survey is a government initiative and is a compulsory for all councils providing adult social care services.
More
Push to improve skills for making 'best interest' decisions
The Mental Capacity Act should be revised to give health and social care workers the appropriate skills needed for making effective decisions on behalf of people lacking the capacity to make decisions themselves.
The call has been made in a report published by the Mental Health Foundation based on research carried out by the Norah Fry Research Centre, and the Centre for Applied Social Research at the University of Bristol.
Over 1 million people (including individuals with dementia and learning disabilities) are estimated to lack the ability to make their own decisions.
Research was carried out as part of the Department of Health’s investigation into the effectiveness of the Act and its Code of Practice, particularly when making decisions in the best interest of clients about social care, health, property and financial affairs.
Key findings from the report show:
The call has been made in a report published by the Mental Health Foundation based on research carried out by the Norah Fry Research Centre, and the Centre for Applied Social Research at the University of Bristol.
Over 1 million people (including individuals with dementia and learning disabilities) are estimated to lack the ability to make their own decisions.
Research was carried out as part of the Department of Health’s investigation into the effectiveness of the Act and its Code of Practice, particularly when making decisions in the best interest of clients about social care, health, property and financial affairs.
Key findings from the report show:
- a significant minority of best interest decisions are made for people who have capacity and who could be supported to make these decisions with help, or who have been wrongly assessed as lacking capacity
- different ways of making successful best interest decisions have been identified which are not currently reflected in the training and guidance available to health and social care staff
- lack of awareness of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards in some cases
- many staff find the MCA helpful in balancing the autonomy and protection of individuals lacking capacity
- practitioners value guidance and training relevant to their own practice, although some admitted the situations they face are more complex than currently reflected in the guidance.
Complaining made easier for citizens
Proposals to improve Staffordshire’s comments and complaints system have received an overwhelming response following extensive consultation with residents.
Over 2000 respondents commented on plans to introduce a single point of contact replacing the confusing array of organisations and systems currently in place, with the majority in favour.
The new approach aims to give local people a stronger voice and create greater independence in resolving complaints, and to boost public confidence in health trusts, GPs and social care services.
County Councillor, Mathew Ellis, cabinet member for adult wellbeing said:
Over 2000 respondents commented on plans to introduce a single point of contact replacing the confusing array of organisations and systems currently in place, with the majority in favour.
The new approach aims to give local people a stronger voice and create greater independence in resolving complaints, and to boost public confidence in health trusts, GPs and social care services.
County Councillor, Mathew Ellis, cabinet member for adult wellbeing said:
“At the moment complaints about healthcare services such as hospitals, health, social care services and GPs are dealt with by the very service being complained about. That can’t be right. We want to improve transparency whilst ensuring information is collated through a single independent body.”
www.staffordshire.gov.uk
www.staffordshire.gov.uk
Putting care and collaboration into housing
Elderly people and people with learning disabilities will receive extra care and support in two new purpose built housing schemes in Sandwell.
The final phase of the first scheme has been marked with the official opening of the first property for people with learning disabilities.
Based in West Bromwich, the development will initially house 11 individuals aged 23 to 70 plus with a range of needs, giving them facilities and support to help them live as independently as possible.
Led by Sandwell Council, professionals from social care, the NHS and Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, joined forces with experts from the design and construction industry to work on the development.
Council Leader, Cllr Darren Cooper, said: “This project has been hailed by all partners, in particular the strategic health authority and the former regional Valuing People Team as a model of best practice - and with very good reason.
"It is an excellent example of collaboration in a good cause, with different disciplines and agencies from both the public and private sectors working so successfully together.”
The second scheme also based in West Bromwich, has been designed for older residents.
Goldfield Court offers people aged 55 and over independence and personalised care within a secure environment.
The £12.5 million scheme boasts communal facilities including a restaurant and hair and beauty salon.
The development has been built by Thomas Vale Construction in partnership with the council, Housing 21 and the Homes and Communities Agency which provided £5m funding.
More
The final phase of the first scheme has been marked with the official opening of the first property for people with learning disabilities.
Based in West Bromwich, the development will initially house 11 individuals aged 23 to 70 plus with a range of needs, giving them facilities and support to help them live as independently as possible.
Led by Sandwell Council, professionals from social care, the NHS and Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, joined forces with experts from the design and construction industry to work on the development.
Council Leader, Cllr Darren Cooper, said: “This project has been hailed by all partners, in particular the strategic health authority and the former regional Valuing People Team as a model of best practice - and with very good reason.
"It is an excellent example of collaboration in a good cause, with different disciplines and agencies from both the public and private sectors working so successfully together.”
The second scheme also based in West Bromwich, has been designed for older residents.
Goldfield Court offers people aged 55 and over independence and personalised care within a secure environment.
The £12.5 million scheme boasts communal facilities including a restaurant and hair and beauty salon.
The development has been built by Thomas Vale Construction in partnership with the council, Housing 21 and the Homes and Communities Agency which provided £5m funding.
More
A carer's life
Thirty years of caring for Lindsey
Meals out, holiday plans and shopping trips are things most people take for granted but Linda Elson can't accept any of these invitations without meticulous planning. Her first priority is her daughter Lindsey who has learning disabilities and needs constant supervision.
Linda and her husband Brian, who live in Bloxwich, recall one wonderful night out, round a friend's house, when Lindsey came along too and happily sat down with everyone.
"We'd had a lovely night and were just getting our coats when Lindsey ran past us, up the stairs and started to wreck their bathroom," said Linda.
"And I do mean wreck. She managed to remove the cistern and smash it up.
"Our friends still remember how pale I went in the split second that we realised she had got pst us. But I knew exactly what to expect as she has done the same thing at home
Meals out, holiday plans and shopping trips are things most people take for granted but Linda Elson can't accept any of these invitations without meticulous planning. Her first priority is her daughter Lindsey who has learning disabilities and needs constant supervision.
Linda and her husband Brian, who live in Bloxwich, recall one wonderful night out, round a friend's house, when Lindsey came along too and happily sat down with everyone.
"We'd had a lovely night and were just getting our coats when Lindsey ran past us, up the stairs and started to wreck their bathroom," said Linda.
"And I do mean wreck. She managed to remove the cistern and smash it up.
"Our friends still remember how pale I went in the split second that we realised she had got pst us. But I knew exactly what to expect as she has done the same thing at home
Call to all carers
Thousands of carers in Walsall have been given the chance to shape a new strategy that aims to support them and make way for a number of new initiatives.
Residents of all ages who care for family or friends have been asked to share their experiences, suggestions and opinions before a new Carers’ Strategy is launched in June this year.
The council also wants to hear from carers not known to social services or existing carers’ groups in the borough.
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Residents of all ages who care for family or friends have been asked to share their experiences, suggestions and opinions before a new Carers’ Strategy is launched in June this year.
The council also wants to hear from carers not known to social services or existing carers’ groups in the borough.
More
Nearly £1/2 million saved by Electronic Care Monitoring
Savings of over £450,000 have been made by Wolverhampton City Council with the introduction of Electronic Care Monitoring in domiciliary care, three months ahead of schedule.
Using the services of social enterprise, The Community Gateway CIC, the council has introduced the monitoring system to transform the way it manages domiciliary care, and to improve the performance of the service providers as well as the experience of service users
Electronic monitoring allows council offices to:
Using the services of social enterprise, The Community Gateway CIC, the council has introduced the monitoring system to transform the way it manages domiciliary care, and to improve the performance of the service providers as well as the experience of service users
Electronic monitoring allows council offices to:
- safeguard clients and staff by flagging up missed visits or late arrival of carers
- charge individuals who make payments towards the cost of their care more accuratel
- ensure consistency of care
- measure accurately the care delivered to make sure it accurately reflects what is stipulated in the care plan
- establish the whereabouts of staff in an emergency
- predict needs and resources more accurately
- collaborate more closely with care providers
Community Gateway CIC was used to help Wolverhampton Council implement the system ahead of schedule by providing a detailed project plan covering all aspects of the scheme from tendering to going live.
Contact: info@thecommunitygateway.co.uk, telephone: 0844 736 5718.
Contact: info@thecommunitygateway.co.uk, telephone: 0844 736 5718.
Putting technology centre stage
Technology is at the heart of an effective integrated care system, according to Walsall Council’s adult social care and inclusion director, Paul Davies.
In an interview with Community Care magazine, Mr Davies describes how the council and NHS Walsall are attempting to meet the needs of increasing numbers of people living with long term conditions, while making the best use of public resources.
Approximately 37,000 patients in the borough have long term health complaints; nearly 3,500 of these were responsible for 4,000 emergency hospital admissions in 2009-10, at a cost of £12.9m.
Following a pilot project monitoring patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in partnership with telehealth and telecare provider Tunstall, telecare is now automatically offered as a component in every care package, and is available to everyone eligible for community care services as well as to other individuals who may benefit from a preventative service.
Telecare users are charged £12.50 a month, with no charge for telehealth. The council and NHS have invested £2.5m in the service and aim to triple the return on this investment by 2017.
Walsall plans to redesign community care and adult social care pathways using telecare as the foundation.
More
In an interview with Community Care magazine, Mr Davies describes how the council and NHS Walsall are attempting to meet the needs of increasing numbers of people living with long term conditions, while making the best use of public resources.
Approximately 37,000 patients in the borough have long term health complaints; nearly 3,500 of these were responsible for 4,000 emergency hospital admissions in 2009-10, at a cost of £12.9m.
Following a pilot project monitoring patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in partnership with telehealth and telecare provider Tunstall, telecare is now automatically offered as a component in every care package, and is available to everyone eligible for community care services as well as to other individuals who may benefit from a preventative service.
Telecare users are charged £12.50 a month, with no charge for telehealth. The council and NHS have invested £2.5m in the service and aim to triple the return on this investment by 2017.
Walsall plans to redesign community care and adult social care pathways using telecare as the foundation.
More
Fix for fragmented services
Members of the House of Commons Health Select Committee are calling for greater integration of health and social care services.
In a report by the cross party group of MPs earlier this month, members highlight fragmented services as failing older people, and say the key to securing better outcomes for service users as well as delivering savings for the NHS, is joined up commissioning of services.
The committee also urge government to:
In a report by the cross party group of MPs earlier this month, members highlight fragmented services as failing older people, and say the key to securing better outcomes for service users as well as delivering savings for the NHS, is joined up commissioning of services.
The committee also urge government to:
- co-ordinate policy more effectively across Whitehall and regularly rebalance national spending across health, housing and care services
- replace the three overlapping but confusing frameworks that currently exist, with one outcomes framework for older people
- recognise the widening "funding gap" in social care services - between the number of people who need care and the amount of money currently in the system to deal with their rising needs
- accept the recommendations in the Dilnot report for a series of caps on care costs, and identify the level at which it thinks these caps should be set
- take steps to ensure GPs identify much earlier, and assess more clearly the needs of carers providing essential informal care to the old and vulnerable
- develop a new, integrated legal framework to support integration of health, social care and other services around the needs of the individual.
VPN alive and well
The latest Valuing People Now in the West Midlands update report is available online and highlights a number of areas requiring further development.
Compiled by Equip4Change CIC on behalf of ADASS, analysis shows Valuing People Now is alive and in reasonable shape in the region, but its progress is variable across local areas.
The report has been distributed to all 14 Learning Disability Partnership Boards for use in shaping their improvement plans for the coming year.
Two major areas have been identified as requiring further focus:
Older people with learning disabilities and older family carers – the report contains a proposal to commission a scoping exercise that will assess current practice and make recommendations for the future. This would include consideration of more innovative ways of supporting families, including extra care housing scheme and wider community resources.
Transition for young people – a joined approach with the Association of Directors of Children’s Services is proposed, to build on information currently being gathered nationally on best practice in transition from childhood to adulthood. The West Midlands programme would include a focus on:
Compiled by Equip4Change CIC on behalf of ADASS, analysis shows Valuing People Now is alive and in reasonable shape in the region, but its progress is variable across local areas.
The report has been distributed to all 14 Learning Disability Partnership Boards for use in shaping their improvement plans for the coming year.
Two major areas have been identified as requiring further focus:
Older people with learning disabilities and older family carers – the report contains a proposal to commission a scoping exercise that will assess current practice and make recommendations for the future. This would include consideration of more innovative ways of supporting families, including extra care housing scheme and wider community resources.
Transition for young people – a joined approach with the Association of Directors of Children’s Services is proposed, to build on information currently being gathered nationally on best practice in transition from childhood to adulthood. The West Midlands programme would include a focus on:
- increasing the number of children and young people using direct payments
- analysis of local further education and training provision leading to employment
- young people with more complex needs, with particular focus on redesigning day opportunities and short breaks.
JIP e-bulletin No 28 February 2012
The future of adult social care continues to hit the headlines with ongoing concerns about how to pay for services and how society will meet the needs of a rapidly growing aged population.
Added to the mix is the recent publication of the Health Select Committee report calling for greater integration of health and care services, and the adoption of recommendations made by the Dilnot Commission in the up and coming Health and Social Care Bill.
As the Bill makes its way through parliament, the JIP continues to act as a bridge between the NHS and local authorities. We bring you updates on some of our projects supporting joined up services, and reports on initiatives and examples of good practice in local authorities.
We are keen to hear about your developments and activities. Please send your contributions for inclusion in future e-bulletins to Cathie Louis, email cathrinalouis@btinternet.com .
Added to the mix is the recent publication of the Health Select Committee report calling for greater integration of health and care services, and the adoption of recommendations made by the Dilnot Commission in the up and coming Health and Social Care Bill.
As the Bill makes its way through parliament, the JIP continues to act as a bridge between the NHS and local authorities. We bring you updates on some of our projects supporting joined up services, and reports on initiatives and examples of good practice in local authorities.
We are keen to hear about your developments and activities. Please send your contributions for inclusion in future e-bulletins to Cathie Louis, email cathrinalouis@btinternet.com .
Focus on JIP priorities
The Joint Improvement Partnership’s role as a strategic link between local authorities and the NHS has grown, with a number of initiatives in place to improve the quality of care provided by health and social care services, and to reduce costs.
Focus has been on reducing hospital re-admissions, integrating care services, expanding the use of assistive technology, promoting prevention and reablement, and redesigning the workforce.
Recent activities include:
Benchmarking and sharing learning to support effective discharging of patients from hospital and the use of resources in care homes – analysis of Delayed Transfer of Care figures shows that nationally the NHS was responsible for 61% of delays last year and social care accounted for 32%.
Emphasis is on health and social care services to work together to avoid placement of patients in residential and nursing homes when they are discharged from hospital.
The JIP is examining a number of suggestions for delaying and reducing the need for care and support, such as changing the culture in hospitals to ‘think home first’ not care homes, and the introduction of a ‘no admission to care homes direct from hospital’ policy. This will require effective intermediate care and rehabilitation or reablement; and sharing good practice in using reablement funds.
A regional event took place on 21st February to work through NHS Situation Reports on delayed hospital discharges and identify good practice. A number of common themes and areas for improvement have been identified.
Integrated Development programme – this started in September 2011. The purpose is to cultivate multidisciplinary teams from health and social care to work in the areas of community intervention, frail elderly people, mental health services for 18 to 24 year olds, reablement for people with dementia, early intervention and screening for dementia sufferers and delayed discharges from hospital. Programme results so far show increasing staff competency, strong partnerships developing between the sectors, and potential for savings in some cases.
Redesigning the workforce – the partnership, in conjunction with Skills for Care, has undertaken elements of workforce redesign and has targeted three main areas of activity: the end of life pathway, dementia and dementia care, and frail elderly pathway design. A template has been designed to capture and track changes as they arise.
Focus has been on reducing hospital re-admissions, integrating care services, expanding the use of assistive technology, promoting prevention and reablement, and redesigning the workforce.
Recent activities include:
Benchmarking and sharing learning to support effective discharging of patients from hospital and the use of resources in care homes – analysis of Delayed Transfer of Care figures shows that nationally the NHS was responsible for 61% of delays last year and social care accounted for 32%.
Emphasis is on health and social care services to work together to avoid placement of patients in residential and nursing homes when they are discharged from hospital.
The JIP is examining a number of suggestions for delaying and reducing the need for care and support, such as changing the culture in hospitals to ‘think home first’ not care homes, and the introduction of a ‘no admission to care homes direct from hospital’ policy. This will require effective intermediate care and rehabilitation or reablement; and sharing good practice in using reablement funds.
A regional event took place on 21st February to work through NHS Situation Reports on delayed hospital discharges and identify good practice. A number of common themes and areas for improvement have been identified.
Integrated Development programme – this started in September 2011. The purpose is to cultivate multidisciplinary teams from health and social care to work in the areas of community intervention, frail elderly people, mental health services for 18 to 24 year olds, reablement for people with dementia, early intervention and screening for dementia sufferers and delayed discharges from hospital. Programme results so far show increasing staff competency, strong partnerships developing between the sectors, and potential for savings in some cases.
Redesigning the workforce – the partnership, in conjunction with Skills for Care, has undertaken elements of workforce redesign and has targeted three main areas of activity: the end of life pathway, dementia and dementia care, and frail elderly pathway design. A template has been designed to capture and track changes as they arise.
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