Agenda item

Elizabeth Bent, Crossroads Care, and Jayne Price, Carers Forum, presented the updated draft Strategy which emphasised the need to identify and support all carers, including hidden carers and young carers.

The following powerpoint presentation set the context for the Carers Strategy:-

Why do we need a Carers Strategy

-          Approximately 31,000 carers in Rotherham

-          Last Rotherham Carers Strategy expired in 2011

-          Introduction of the Care Act 2014 – new rights for Carers

-          Funding cuts throughout Health and Social Care

Co-production

-          Multi-agency Development Group comprising representatives from:-

Carers Groups i.e. Forum

RMBC Adult and Children

Rotherham CCG

RDaSH

Voluntary Sector

Rotherham Foundation Trust

Job Centre Plus

Carers Corner

Consultation/Community Engagement

-          Crossroads AGM

-          Magna Event

-          Carers Forum

-          Adult Services Consortium

-          Carers Resilience Service

-          Barnardos

Outcomes

-          Carers in Rotherham are more resilient and empowers

-          The caring role is manageable and sustainable

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

Where are we today

-     A step in the right direction for Carers

-     Draft document

-     Not complete

-     Not perfect

-     Open to suggestions

The Future

-          Aiming to present to Health and Wellbeing Board September meeting

-          Strategy shared widely

-          Development group – Delivery Group

-          Rollout of actions – monitored by delivery group

-          Annual review and update

Discussion ensued with the following issues raised/highlighted:-

·           Can you explain the Pledge?  How you can influence the Pledge that carers in Rotherham were not financially disadvantaged as a result of their caring role?

Part of that was to ensure that carers had access to benefits advice and support.  The work taking place with the Carers Resilience Service was funding that support and had been successful in carers getting Carers Allowance and obtaining Attendance Allowance for the people they cared for.  It was not all about money but a little bit of finance could make a big difference to carers

·           There was felt to be a difference in the language used in the Pledge and in the Outcomes

We can take that back and change it.  The Pledge was picked up from the National Carers Strategy as it was at present.  There were plans for a new National strategy for which the consultation finished on 31^st July and was another reason why Rotherham’s publication had been delayed until September to ensure it was not out of line

·           There were a lot of carers in Rotherham. How do you think this will help reach more carers and support them?

There were a lot of groups in Rotherham and the information would be cascaded as widely as possible.  Once the Carers Strategy was approved it would be rolled out, promoted and shared out to as many people and in as many ways possible

·           Were Directorates playing ball with the new initiative?  How were they linking in with you at all?

The development group was multi-agency and working along with the Directorates.  Within the Forum, the Carers Forum was the independent voice for carers.  A Carers Issue Log was to be introduced whereby anybody who felt that they were not getting the services or there was some sort of failing would enter it onto the Issue Log.  It would then be taken back to the people that should be addressing it i.e. the Directorates and other agencies

·           As Directorates were planning out new ways of working were you being involved?

Over the last 18 months, there had a tremendous improvement.  The very fact that there was a will to put a Carers Strategy in place in Rotherham was a great step forward.  One of the things identified quite early on was the need for a strong carer’s voice in Rotherham which benefitted everyone.  Part of the Strategy was the development of the Carers Forum.  The Officer who led the Group was very keen on commissioning some support for the Forum because it was run by carers for carers

·           The delivery plan stated the intention to develop an online assessment form for carers.  How accessible would that be for older people?

One size never fitted all and was another way of ticking the box on carer’s assessments.  We need carers to come forward and assessments completed to ascertain their needs and support them

·           Outcome 3 target for working to ensure Rotherham became carer friendly. What sort of tools were in place locally to ensure employers, public and private sector, catered to employees’ needs?

Crossroads Care (a voluntary sector organisation) had carer friendly policies in place i.e. flexible working etc.  Realistically if it was not law there were some employers who would not do it.  The Council did some work with their own employees to find out how many of them were carers.  There were ways that carers could be supported such as flexible working but it was for us all to raise the issue and address them

Elizabeth and Jayne were thanked for their presentation.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the draft Strategy and delivery plan be noted.

(2)  That an appropriate timescale be agreed with the Delivery Group to receive a progress update on implementation once the strategy was signed off.