Issue - meetings

Carers Strategy

Meeting: 16/11/2016 - Health and Wellbeing Board (Item 44)

44 Caring Together - The Rotherham Carers' Strategy pdf icon PDF 374 KB

Report by Sarah Farragher, Adult Social Care and Housing

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Sarah Farragher, Adult Social Care and Housing, presented the Rotherham Carers’ Strategy.

 

It was a partnership Strategy which had engaged with Rotherham Age UK, the Adult Services Consortium, Rotherham Carers Forum, Voluntary Action Rotherham, the Council and the CCG.  Unfortunately it had not engaged with the Foundation Trust but there was still time to do so.

 

The Strategy had been developed in 2 stages; firstly the development of the Young Carers section which had been led by Linda Harper in conjunction with Barnados and the second stage the carers in conjunction with the partners listed above.

 

The Strategy had 6 outcomes:-

 

-          Carers in Rotherham are more resilient

-          The caring role is manageable and sustainable

-          Carers in Rotherham have their needs understood and their wellbeing promoted

-          Families with young carers are consistently identified early in Rotherham to prevent problems from occurring and getting worse and that there is shared responsibility across partners for this early identification

-          Our children are recognised and safeguarded in their challenging role and receive appropriate intervention and support at the right time

-          Children and young people in Rotherham that have young carer roles have access to and experience the same outcomes as their peers

 

It was recognised that informal carers were the backbone of the health and social care economy and that enabling them to continue in the role was vital.  It was important that all carers, including young and hidden carers, were identified and supported.

 

Discussion ensued on the report with the following issues raised/highlighted:-

 

·           Pleasing to see the important emphasis given to young carers which was a big issue and who needed all the support available

 

·           The impact of some of the transformation programme which would impact on some carers particularly those caring for someone with learning disabilities

 

·           The Hospital often felt the impact when a carer was unwell resulting in the cared person being admitted

 

·           A number of GP surgeries now had carers clinics – it was an aspiration to have a Children’s Champion in every surgery

 

·           The carers/hidden carers were the ones left with the cared for person when the Services had gone and some support had to be found to help them to avoid crises situations

 

It was noted that the report would be submitted to Cabinet for endorsement.   It was suggested that it then be submitted to back to the Board for sign off in January.

 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Strategy be noted.

 

(2)  That a meeting be held as soon as possible between the Foundation Trust and Sarah Farragher for their input to the Strategy.

Action:-  Sarah Farragher