Plans are in place to develop a carers’ centre of excellence in Stoke-on-Trent.
The council aims to provide support and services to carers under one roof, including short breaks, bed space, day relief and home based help.
The development includes potential for working with the health sector, voluntary and other statutory organisations.
In separate initiatives, the authority has trained over 40 carers in managing challenging behaviour. The courses, funded by the Carers Grant, are available to individuals caring for older people with dementia related illnesses.
Training gives carers greater understanding of the disease. It includes recognising early signs of dementia and the potential effects on family and friends.
The council also provides short term cover for carers who are facing an emergency and are unable to look after the person they care for.
Temporary cover is provided by a response team who will maintain telephone contact with the person cared for or supply a temporary sitter.
Emergency care is provided for a maximum of 48 hours on weekdays, and up to 72 hours at weekends. Currently 150 carers are registered to use the service.
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Walking in carers' shoes
Coventry City Council recently held a training event for representatives from a number of organisations, to raise awareness of carers' needs.
Under the heading 'Walk a Mile in My Shoes', the event organised jointly with the Department of Health, informed delegates of the extent to which carers contribute to the health and social care of people in need, and of their own need for practical and emotional support.
Brian Walsh (Director of Community Services) said: " Carers play a vital role in supporting people to live as independently as possible, and this event highlighted the value and contribution they play throughout Coventry. It provided an opportunity for a wide range of staff from agencies across the city to be aware of carers and the most effective ways of supporting them in their role."
Delegates from the NHS, PCT, JobCentre Plus and voluntary organisations attended.
Under the heading 'Walk a Mile in My Shoes', the event organised jointly with the Department of Health, informed delegates of the extent to which carers contribute to the health and social care of people in need, and of their own need for practical and emotional support.
Brian Walsh (Director of Community Services) said: " Carers play a vital role in supporting people to live as independently as possible, and this event highlighted the value and contribution they play throughout Coventry. It provided an opportunity for a wide range of staff from agencies across the city to be aware of carers and the most effective ways of supporting them in their role."
Delegates from the NHS, PCT, JobCentre Plus and voluntary organisations attended.
Monday, 12 April 2010
Safeguarding and older people - the role of housing and support, 20 April 2010
A national conference to look at the key role housing and support providers for older people have in promoting the safeguarding agenda, and engaging with tenants and service users to promote best practice and achieve improved outcomes.
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Sustainable Social Care Conference, 20 April 2010
Findings, strategic, and practical recommendations from the Sustainable Social Care Programme will be revealed. The programme explores how sustainable development approaches can help realise the aims of Putting People First, and support the improvement and efficiency agenda.
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Dignity and choice in end of life care: the role of social workers, 28 April 2010
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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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
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