Valuing Carers 2015 – the rising value of carers’ support Why a new Strategy? We know that in a world where there will be fewer services and more of us living longer but not necessarily in good health, the role of carers’ will become more vital. This new strategy recognises that: The number of carers is increasing Carers are getting older (21% increase of carers aged 65+ from the 2001 to 2011 census) Carers are providing more hours of care (18% increase at 20+ hours and 13% increase at 50+ hours) For some people caring is lifelong For other people they may care for a few years and then stop and this could happen several times Every day there are people starting to care for the first time (approx. 55 people in Sheffield every day) There are a number of factors that when added together cause health inequalities for carers e.g. emotional stress, poor health, financial hardship We know that If we do not continue to champion carers’ and enable them to continue to care it can have far reaching consequences for the carer and for the person being cared for. For example; poor mental and physical health, financially and / or socially excluded, being subject to or perpetrating abuse. Through this strategy we will continue to build the strength and resilience of carers to continue to care for as long as they wish to. Local requirements Since the last Strategy (2010-2013) there has been progress and good work but many of the concerns described in the previous and national strategies still exist in Sheffield today. National drivers Since 2008 there have been seven national strategy documents published by Department of Health, NHS England and Think Local Act Personal. These documents are also
Principle Challenge Solution Lead organisations Access at the right time and the right type of information and advice for them, their family and the person they care for Understand their rights and have access to an Have a voice for themselves and the How do I access and get quality information, advice and guidance? There is a large amount of information available locally and nationally in various formats / media – the challenge is: Carers do not know how to access or find the information (you don’t know what you don’t know) Information overload Information too little too late Little information and advice to navigate the information Carers don’t understand rights or options available Information and advice available and accessible in different formats e.g. paper based, digital Support for carers to navigate information Advice and guidance to support choices and maximise income (e.g. benefits and discounts) Advocacy Primary care is a common place for carers to present, often with low level mental health issues or psychosomatic problems as well as real health issues- working with Primary care to improve their knowledge regarding signposting Sheffield City Council Including: Clinical Commissioning Group / NHS providers Young Carer / Carer Support Services Care providers
Improvements in Council commissioned Homecare providers: Quality of staff and care given Timeliness of appointments Processes and timeliness between Social Care and provider Transfer of information / assessments between Social Care and care providers Sheffield City Council Including: Care providers I need help to plan for emergencies and contingencies Emergency planning - carers want tools and support to complete and maintain an emergency plan Linking with existing citywide care plans such as ‘OK to Stay’ Sheffield City Council Clinical Commissioning Including: NHS providers Young Carer / Carer Support Services Care providers Staff do not recognise me as a carer or help me Carer aware workforce – training for all frontline staff to: Sheffield City Council
Carers and young carers are not consistently identified, acknowledged, given information or included in decisions about the people they care for. Staff do not: Identify carers and recognise their needs Treat them as equal partners and recognise their importance in the support and recovery of the person they care for Recognise carers and the issues they face Support plan for the whole family including carers Utilise and recognise the knowledge and expertise of the in supporting / recovery of the cared for person Greater understanding by all agencies such as; social care, health, education and housing about the rights of young carers Clinical Commissioning Group Including: NHS providers Young Carer / Carer Support Services Care providers Am I a carer? Hidden carers – people who do not identify or recognise themselves as carers and therefore are not known to services or know how to access support and help Communication campaign with multiple approaches including communities, primary care and hospitals to identifying carers and explaining the benefits of accessing help Linkages with existing change programmes such as People Keeping Well and Integrated Commissioning Programme will be Sheffield City Council Clinical Commissioning Group
key to reaching people who don’t consider themselves a Have regular and sufficient breaks I cannot get a break Carers are not able to get a suitable or fit for purpose break: Not clear what break options are available or very limited choice Not able to pre book respite Carers do not want a on their own but would like to ‘do something nice’ with their family member Develop different options which are responsive to and reflect carers needs May include; specialist building based, short breaks, care or nursing home, home based, Sharing Lives, meaningful activities, personal budgets Increase awareness of what respite options are available so carers can make informed choices about taking a break. Sheffield City Council Including: Young Carer / Carer Support Services Care providers I am lonely and isolated Carers report that they are lonely as friends and other family members do not understand / drift away as Develop social assets and capital of carers e.g. ‘knit and natter’, sport activities, support groups, telephone befriending, buddies, local and national online forums / chat rooms Carers Support Services Including: Local and community services
the demands of caring increase Primary care is a common place for carers to present, often with low level mental health issues or psychosomatic problems as well as real health issues- working with Primary care to improve their knowledge regarding signposting Continue to learn and develop, train or work (if they wish to) I am not able to learn or train Not able to have the same opportunities to learn and achieve, which leads to financial hardship School / college / university does not understand the care role that young carers / carers have resulting in issues such as: Being late for school, repeatedly tired, unable to complete homework or attend out of school activities Training and awareness for educational (school, college, training providers) to understand young carers / carers needs Policies implemented to support and young carers to achieve in their learning Schools and Colleges Including: Sheffield City Council Young Carer / Carer Support Services
If services are right for the cared for person then it will make it easier for me For example People delivering care and support who are reliable, knowledgeable and trustworthy Continuity of care so professionals get to know the person/people I care for The care worker gives care and support whilst with the person/people I care for, for the full allocated time Training for staff who work with the person/people I care for so they understand their specific conditions/disabilities Regular evaluation and monitoring of services to ensure good quality When we got allocated a care worker, they didn’t know anything about my Mum even though we had told our story a number of times. She is alright but doesn’t always turn up on time or do quite the right things. Time for me so I can have a life outside of caring For example Time for me so I can have a life outside of caring Flexible respite that gives me a break from being a carer Time to myself so I can go to work, have interests or hobbies without worrying about the person/people I care for Time and support to manage my own health needs – with carer friendly GPs and health services activities for me as a carer and inclusive activities I can do with the person/people I care for e.g. peer support groups, Cafes, gym I had to come home early from holiday because my husband was so unhappy in respite. I never get to go to the cinema anymore because I can’t get respite in the evenings. I don’t want a break from my wife; I would like a support worker to help us go to a concert like we used to do. I have had to give up work, it was too stressful, they didn’t understand why I was late all the time
Education, training and employment. 2. We care for free why not help us? Young carers are supported in school, college and other educational settings, and are supported in training and employment. Health & Wellbeing of young carers. 3. You us, don’t then break us. 6. Don’t let us go unnoticed. 10. Mind over Matter. Suitable information, guidance and support in place to help young carers stay physically and emotionally well. A voice in care decisions. 1. Stigma Sling ya Hook 7. We all deserve a say in the services we use day to day. 9. You have a use it, don’t lose it. Enable young carers to be more involved in the care plans of those they care for. A strategic voice. 7. We all deserve a say in the services we use day to day. 9. You have a VOYCE, use it, Ensure carers have a voice in strategy, policy and commissioning.