Supported by SCIE, the British Association of Social Workers and Shaping Our Lives, the conference will focus on the role social workers have in enabling chice and ensuring dignity in end of life care.
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Monday, 12 April 2010
Jip e-bulletin No. 11 April 2010
Foreword
Welcome to this month's issue of the Jip e-bulletin.
No matter what the future brings, people will keep on giving vast amounts of time and energy to care for a loved one in need.
And no matter how much local authorities and PCTs have to spend on carers, it will always be an investment worth making. Carers tend to do as much as they can, as well as they can, they deserve our support to do what they usually see as their duty.
The Department of Health led National Carer Strategy of 2008, responds to a range of carers concerns. Alongside the Strategy a Standing Commission for Carers was set up to inform, support and if necessary challenge the implementation of the strategy. Together, the Standing Commission and the strategy have helped ensure this policy is genuinely led by what carers say.
Regionally the Carer Strategy supports local authorities in their ambition to do the same. Carer lead officers are now found in all West Midlands councils, working across departmental boundaries and with health, Job Centre Plus and other partners, to seek a joined up approach to carers' needs.
The voluntary sector has often led the way on carers; but in order to blend carers into the complex world of personalisation, voluntary sector partners need to be kept up to date about policy and practice as they evolve.
Likewise, health partners are increasingly clear about the importance of carers, both through their Clinical Review Groups, and strategically. Strengthening relationships across social care, health and the voluntary sector makes sense to carers and to agencies as we pursue increased efficiency and better services.
But many challenges remain. Personalisation of social services means we are in danger of talking to carers as if they are part of the care package and not part of the family. Whether we're talking to carers, to our own services, to voluntary sector allies or to health colleagues, social care values remain a strong anchor through times of change.
This month's bulletin gives an overview of what some councils in the region are doing to support and include carers as equal partners in the provision of social care.
Simon Foster
Programme Lead, Carers and LINks
Department of Health West Midlands
Welcome to this month's issue of the Jip e-bulletin.
No matter what the future brings, people will keep on giving vast amounts of time and energy to care for a loved one in need.
And no matter how much local authorities and PCTs have to spend on carers, it will always be an investment worth making. Carers tend to do as much as they can, as well as they can, they deserve our support to do what they usually see as their duty.
The Department of Health led National Carer Strategy of 2008, responds to a range of carers concerns. Alongside the Strategy a Standing Commission for Carers was set up to inform, support and if necessary challenge the implementation of the strategy. Together, the Standing Commission and the strategy have helped ensure this policy is genuinely led by what carers say.
Regionally the Carer Strategy supports local authorities in their ambition to do the same. Carer lead officers are now found in all West Midlands councils, working across departmental boundaries and with health, Job Centre Plus and other partners, to seek a joined up approach to carers' needs.
The voluntary sector has often led the way on carers; but in order to blend carers into the complex world of personalisation, voluntary sector partners need to be kept up to date about policy and practice as they evolve.
Likewise, health partners are increasingly clear about the importance of carers, both through their Clinical Review Groups, and strategically. Strengthening relationships across social care, health and the voluntary sector makes sense to carers and to agencies as we pursue increased efficiency and better services.
But many challenges remain. Personalisation of social services means we are in danger of talking to carers as if they are part of the care package and not part of the family. Whether we're talking to carers, to our own services, to voluntary sector allies or to health colleagues, social care values remain a strong anchor through times of change.
This month's bulletin gives an overview of what some councils in the region are doing to support and include carers as equal partners in the provision of social care.
Simon Foster
Programme Lead, Carers and LINks
Department of Health West Midlands
Thursday, 8 April 2010
Investing in community well being
Staffordshire County Council has set up a £1million Community Wellbeing Fund available to small local organisations.
The aim is to give grants to schemes that support or provide services to older and vulnerable people.
The fund will operate for four years. The first tranche totaling £250,000 will be distributed this month.
Organisations can apply for a small grant of up to £1000 or a larger grant of up to £10,000.
The council is particularly keen to fund schemes providing:
· community transport
· healthy luncheon clubs
· befriending or pop in services
· leisure, education or training.
Contact: Shelley Davis, Health Development Officer,
telephone: 01785 278279, email: shelley.davis@staffordshire.gov.uk
The aim is to give grants to schemes that support or provide services to older and vulnerable people.
The fund will operate for four years. The first tranche totaling £250,000 will be distributed this month.
Organisations can apply for a small grant of up to £1000 or a larger grant of up to £10,000.
The council is particularly keen to fund schemes providing:
· community transport
· healthy luncheon clubs
· befriending or pop in services
· leisure, education or training.
Contact: Shelley Davis, Health Development Officer,
telephone: 01785 278279, email: shelley.davis@staffordshire.gov.uk
Driving up claims for direct payments
Solihull Care Trust has made it easier for carers to come forward and be assessed for direct payments, by working in partnership with the Solihull Carers' Centre.
The partnership was formed when it was found many carers were reluctant to be assessed by what they perceive as ‘the authorities’, preventing them from accessing support.
To change the situation and improve the take up of direct payments, Solihull Carers' Centre (an independent voluntary organisation led by carers) now carries out assessments on behalf of the care trust.
Legal responsibility remains with the trust to authorise and decide allocation of resources.
Assessments and the number of payments have increased since the partnership was formed.
Contact: Solihull Carers Centre, telephone: 0121 788 1143,
email: centre@solihullcarers.org.
Read more
The partnership was formed when it was found many carers were reluctant to be assessed by what they perceive as ‘the authorities’, preventing them from accessing support.
To change the situation and improve the take up of direct payments, Solihull Carers' Centre (an independent voluntary organisation led by carers) now carries out assessments on behalf of the care trust.
Legal responsibility remains with the trust to authorise and decide allocation of resources.
Assessments and the number of payments have increased since the partnership was formed.
Contact: Solihull Carers Centre, telephone: 0121 788 1143,
email: centre@solihullcarers.org.
Read more
Libraries made carer information hubs
Libraries in Dudley have become the main source of information for carers in the borough.
The council is promoting its 13 libraries as where to go to for its Carers' Information Service.
The libraries will:
· display posters inviting carers to ask staff for help
· keep an information folder on how to support carers
· have information on links to relevant websites to help carers find the information they need
· stock books for carers displaying ‘carer aware’ stickers
· provide free copies of the carers anthology Smiling is Allowed
All staff will aim to complete an online awareness training course.
The council has secured funding from the Department of Health to develop the course, which will be available to carers and anyone in the borough who works with them.
For further information contact Christine Rowley, telephone 0300 555 2345 ext 8723.
Email: Christine.Rowley@dudley.gov.uk
The council is promoting its 13 libraries as where to go to for its Carers' Information Service.
The libraries will:
· display posters inviting carers to ask staff for help
· keep an information folder on how to support carers
· have information on links to relevant websites to help carers find the information they need
· stock books for carers displaying ‘carer aware’ stickers
· provide free copies of the carers anthology Smiling is Allowed
All staff will aim to complete an online awareness training course.
The council has secured funding from the Department of Health to develop the course, which will be available to carers and anyone in the borough who works with them.
For further information contact Christine Rowley, telephone 0300 555 2345 ext 8723.
Email: Christine.Rowley@dudley.gov.uk
Self assessments pay off
An individual payment scheme for carers has been introduced by Sandwell Council’s Adults Services and Health.
Over 1000 one off payments have been awarded to local carers. The money has been used in a variety of ways, including payment for short breaks, stress relieving complementary therapies, training and equipment.
Awards are made on the basis of carers carrying out their own assessments, helping to streamline the evaluation process.
Carers also have the benefit of using a free emergency card scheme. Individuals carry a card stating they are a carer and someone depends on them. It gives the number of the council’s 24 hour contact centre which will call people, nominated by the carer, in the event of an emergency.
Contact: Sam Hay, telephone: 01216121620
Email: sam.hay@sandwell-pct.nhs.uk
Read more
Over 1000 one off payments have been awarded to local carers. The money has been used in a variety of ways, including payment for short breaks, stress relieving complementary therapies, training and equipment.
Awards are made on the basis of carers carrying out their own assessments, helping to streamline the evaluation process.
Carers also have the benefit of using a free emergency card scheme. Individuals carry a card stating they are a carer and someone depends on them. It gives the number of the council’s 24 hour contact centre which will call people, nominated by the carer, in the event of an emergency.
Contact: Sam Hay, telephone: 01216121620
Email: sam.hay@sandwell-pct.nhs.uk
Read more
Search for hidden carers
Wolverhampton City Council has set up a carers' awareness training course for frontline staff to help identify hidden carers.
The course was developed when it became clear, during the council’s consultation on its carer strategy, that local authority reception staff and workers in the PCT did not understand the needs and responsibilities of carers, or recognise who might be one.
The courses are designed to raise awareness among GP surgery staff, council receptionists, employees working in the community or anyone who might be able to identify carers who may benefit from council support.
The course was developed when it became clear, during the council’s consultation on its carer strategy, that local authority reception staff and workers in the PCT did not understand the needs and responsibilities of carers, or recognise who might be one.
The courses are designed to raise awareness among GP surgery staff, council receptionists, employees working in the community or anyone who might be able to identify carers who may benefit from council support.
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