Agenda item

To consider a report in respect of the delivery of the Carers and Young Carers programmes.

Consideration was given to a report providing an update on the progress made against the Carers Strategic Framework. Following endorsement from the Health and Wellbeing Board in January 2022, various activities had been undertaken by the Council and by third sector organisations in line with the outlined strategic framework. The report and presentation identified the important role of unpaid Carers in the Borough and identified the challenges Carers face. Therefore, the Carers Strategy had been developed in partnership with colleagues across the Council, Health and the voluntary sector.

The Strategic Framework set out a vision for working with and supporting Carers, it also provided an action-focused road map for how the Place will achieve the changes directly with carers. Delivery of the actions over the next three years was described, along with the vision to continue to put Carers at the heart of the process through their direct involvement in the Borough That Cares Strategic Group.

The report also included an update in respect of the developing support offer for Young Carers. This included the Cabinet response to the recommendations from the scrutiny review of support for Young Carers. Developments in response to the recommendations were described.

In discussion, Members requested clarification of how waiting lists developed and how they are being addressed. The response from officers noted the recruitment and expansion of staff hours to be able to pick up the cases. Workforce details were provided as to how the additional hours were to be achieved in order to reduce the waiting list. Officers averred that the waiting list had resulted from difficulty closing cases during the pandemic when there was less frequent contact with the Young Carers. It was noted that the contact did not stop, but less face-to-face contact was possible. As the work involves a vulnerable cohort, the service does not close cases without having full completion of work including these necessary contacts. It was noted that a close eye is kept on the service to ensure there is resource to meet the demand. It was noted that the additional non-recurrent funding was put in place to enable the expansion of hours and training that the Barnardo’s team have undertaken. The Quarter 1 reports indicated 15 more children have been allocated. A significant number of referrals were still being seen.

Members requested clarification around timelines involved in the case study. The dates of the timeline were not known but the duration of involvement was 18 months. The wait time was 3 months, which is typical. One of the service goals was to raise awareness although greater awareness led to more referrals. This was true across all services. The case study provided information about training, education and skills, but a quantity of info had to be taken out of the case study to make it publishable to the public. 

Appreciation for development of the service offer was expressed. Members also expressed interest in the sustainment of the service and requested further details in respect of challenges associated with recruiting based on non-recurrent funding. The response from officers and partners noted that recurrent funding is in place. Up until the Quarter 1 report, the numbers were as anticipated, but the referral rate had gone up slightly. There were not currently additional lines of funding for expansion; therefore, if the upward trend continued, the service would develop an appropriate response to support Young Carers.

Members requested further assurances around the trajectory of the waiting list in view of the high numbers in some wards. Assurances were requested around the plans of the service around anticipated figures. The support needs of the service were identified and preventative practices described.

As primary care practitioners were going into the community, examples were requested around effective ways by which young carers had been identified and referrals made. The response from officers noted that the Rotherham community resource information is collected and made available as a pack in GP practices. Members noted that this would be an area for development, with the knowledge that Carers are not a homogenous group. Many carers are not young nor are they older; a middle group also exists which can sometimes be a gap in the offer.

Members noted the importance of a dedicated venue for support and the importance of enabling Young Carers to experience childhood. The response from officers noted the importance of examining venues and colleagues were looking at face to face venues as a place to go to have conversations when they are needed. There was also a desire to consider venues around the Borough. Other Boroughs had a Carer Card, which needs to be considered for implementation in Rotherham. Partners agreed that it would be ideal to have a Carer Card for free access to leisure, as this would help facilitate their social networks and a break from caring responsibilities. Barnardo’s also support children to join civic organisations.

Members noted the need for a presence of Young Carers voice in the report, and that results of consultations could demonstrate what Young Carers are saying about their experience and their needs.

Members noted that the emergency respite care was of major importance to Carers and had been difficult to commission. The response from officers noted that House of Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee had recently presented findings in respect of workforce pressures in Health and Social Care. It was noted that pay progression and status made it difficult to recruit new talent into the care sector across all facets including our own Council services. An honest appraisal suggests there was a widespread workforce shortage which made these challenges very difficult to solve. The service had requested assistance from health partners in meeting the need.

Resolved:-

1.    That the report be noted, and that an update be received at the appropriate time to feed into the refresh of the Carers strategy.

2.    That the refreshed strategy take into account the feedback from Carers to refine and improve the support offer.

3.    That consideration be given to how best to ensure the refreshed strategy includes provision for urgent respite care.

4.    That future reports in respect of Young Carers include strong evidence of co-production and assurances that the perspectives of Young Carers are being heard. 

5.    That the service prioritise provision of access to leisure and culture activities for respite for Young Carers.