Joint work to support carers

News - 11 June 2015

Joint work by North Somerset Council and Clinical Comissioning Group to support carers
Three adults sat round a table having a discussion

­North Somerset Council and the local NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) recognise and value the contribution carers make to our community and work together at every opportunity to ensure carers are supported. The two organisations share a post to lead on all their work that involves carer support.

 

Both organisations provide funding for carer support. The council then uses this joint funding to commission Alliance Living to deliver support to carers along every step of their caring ‘journey’. Alliance Living delivers this through a partnership called the Crossroads Alliance. This includes Alliance Living, Crossroads North Somerset, and North Somerset Community Partnership.

­

­

 

Psychological support for carers The CCG funds and commissions psychological support for carers (Positive Step for carers) as part of meeting carers’ health needs. A proportion of this funding comes from the Better Care Fund (BCF), a single pooled budget to incentivise the NHS and Local Government to work together to integrate health and social care services. North Somerset has a BCF Delivery Plan in which support for carers is a priority. A more joined up service Frontline health and social care teams in Weston and Worle have already been integrated so that community health staff such as District Nurses, and social care staff such as Social Workers and Occupational Therapists, all work together in one area team to provide a more ‘joined-up’ service for the cared-for person and their carer. Teams in Clevedon and Nailsea are due to followThe partners work together to identify carers at an early stage and to cross-refer to appropriate services during the course of their contact with a carer. Crossroads provide Carers Assessments (on behalf of the council) as well as wider carer support such as support groups.

 

What support does a carer need?

A Carer’s Assessment identifies the support a carer needs arising from the caring role. An Assessment can open the door to further help for a carer at each stage of their ‘journey’ or Pathway. Carers can self-refer to the Crossroads Alliance on the telephone number below. The service includes support for carers of people with a learning disability and mental health issues. The service works in partnership with statutory, third sector, and commercial organisations to support carers.

The council also uses CCG funding to commission the Carer Support Service at Weston General Hospital on behalf of the CCG.

­

­

The CCG funds and commissions psychological support for carers (Positive Step for carers) as part of meeting carers’ health needs. A proportion of this funding comes from the Better Care Fund (BCF), a single pooled budget to incentivise the NHS and Local Government to work together to integrate health and social care services. North Somerset has a BCF Delivery Plan in which support for carers is a priority. A more joined up service Frontline health and social care teams in Weston and Worle have already been integrated so that community health staff such as District Nurses, and social care staff such as Social Workers and Occupational Therapists, all work together in one area team to provide a more ‘joined-up’ service for the cared-for person and their carer. Teams in Clevedon and Nailsea are due to follow.

You can find out more on the CCG website here

­

You might also be interested in

An older woman sitting in an arm chair and smiling. In front of her is a walking frame.

Report: time to think differently about adult social care

What matters to you if and when you need help from social care services? Local people who don't currently receive any support told us about what's important to them, both now and when they need assistance in the future.
Report
A woman and older man sitting outside and looking at a photo album together

Support for unpaid carers in North Somerset

Caring can be rewarding, but many carers need help at some point. Alliance Homes offers a range of support for carers in North Somerset, including groups and opportunities to meet other carers, and help with financial support and
benefits.
Advice and Information
A woman sitting with her hand on top of a man's hands. The man is in a wheelchair.

Report: unheard carers from minority groups in North Somerset

People from diverse, often-unheard cultural backgrounds told us about their experiences of looking after a loved one. None considered themselves to be carers, and therefore were not receiving any support from local health and social care services.
Report