How many Carers are there in the UK? Approximately there are 7 million people in the UK being carers 1 in 8 adults providing care to a relative or friend. Some of whom are keeping full time jobs or bringing up their own families 700,000 young people, who are also going to school or college It is anticipated the overall figure will rise to 9 million by 2037 People to give ideas – before revealing. Discuss about adult, young people and anticipated growth (Lincs breakdown is shown on later slides)

What is meant by a ‘carer’? What situations lead people to become carers? Old age, serious health condition, mental ill health, dementia, substance misuse, learning disabilities and situations that lead to vulnerability What does a carer do? Provide unpaid support to a partner, relative, friend or neighbour who couldn't get by without their physical or emotional help. In groups write down what they think is meant by a carer? Two questions – ideas , once discussed show on screen, some will be already mentioned, others can be explored

Other Information on Carers Many carers are the only support for the person being cared for Holidays can be scarce – some carers have not taken a break of more than 2 days since they began caring Not all carers live with the person they care for – about 50% regularly attend the cared for person from their own home 18% of carers are caring for more than one person Just under half of all carers are male Source: Carers UK and the University of Sheffield 2015

The economic value of the contribution made by carers in the UK is now £132bn

How can we identify carers? Different professions may see people who are doing the following: Attending appointments with another person Collecting prescriptions for someone else Asking advice not for them Shopping for another Anything else? What about asking them? However, there are barriers and asking someone directly may not always be the best approach: They may not realise they are a carer but the wife/ husband, son/daughter They may not want to discuss their caring role, especially in the presence of the cared for Asking for support may mean they are not coping? Some fear of losing control Ask for other ways professionals or agencies can identify carers through their actions. Talk about whether carers can be asked directly whether they are carers – experiences to date? Highlight some barriers that may occur – are there others?

Why do Carers need support? Many carers work outside the home and are juggling responsibilities Given up careers/employment Some are struggling alone and do not know that there is help available May be new to the role – “where do I start?” Often put the health and wellbeing of the cared for person before their own 62% of carers in Lincolnshire have a disability or long standing illness Source: Lincolnshire JSNA 2014

What is the impact of caring? It can affect relationships, work, finances and health Carers UK Survey 2013 75% not prepared for changes to lifestyle 61% found it difficult to maintain relationships 45% gave up work 60% experienced a reduction in income 72% had to reduce the amount of exercise taken 61% suffered depression 92% became more stressed Discuss the impact and take any views and other experiences, comments from the floor

What’s the picture in Lincolnshire? 79,000 people in Lincolnshire are carers This equates to 11.1% of the population

Over 20,000 carers provide more than 50 hours of caring a week in Lincolnshire 4.10% of these carers reside in East Lindsey which is ranked 2nd highest in the UK for the provision of care for 50 hours or more per week Source: The Lincolnshire Research Observatory 2011 Consensus

Lincolnshire County Council Customer Service Centre delivered by Serco The Lincolnshire Carers Service 1 service 2 delivery partners Lincolnshire County Council commissioned service to deliver preventative and on-going support Lincolnshire County Council Customer Service Centre delivered by Serco

No wrong doors A combined approach providing: Early identification of carers Prevention of carer break down Access to good information and advice

The Lincolnshire Carers Service Single point of access and referrals for all support: Lincolnshire County Council’s Customer Service Centre 01522 782224 carersservice@Lincolnshire.gov.uk   Carers will be referred onto Carers FIRST for on-going support if appropriate

Information on Referral What has triggered the carer to require support ? Does the carer have any communication difficulties? - If so what are they? Has the carer given consent to the referral? Does the carer have any disabilities or issues affecting their ability to carry out their caring role? Are there any existing care packages in place for the person they care for? What do you think would help? i.e. information and advice, emotional support, practical support

How will the Lincolnshire Carers Service help carers? Supporting carers to take up and sustain a caring role. Putting the needs of carers on an equal footing to those who they care for Providing personalised support to carers in a timely and proportionate way Preventing, reducing or delaying the need for support. Providing high quality information and advice Ensuring the rights of all carers to have their needs assessed, supported and reviewed in a way that is proportionate to their level of need

Who is Carers FIRST? Carers HUB – Carer’s wellbeing summary and triage, information and advice Face to face Carers Assessments Supporting carers to access the Carers Emergency Response Service Social Groups and Support Groups for carers Support within Lincoln, Grantham, Boston and Peterborough Hospitals

What we can provide….. 1:1 Emotional support Support with transitions for young adult carers aged 16 to 24 years Carers Surgeries run within communities Support with benefits through telephone and face to face surgeries We plan to work with and within the local neighbourhood teams We plan to work with local GPs and Pharmacies to identify Carers We plan to deliver practical training for carers

How carers can contact Carers FIRST Once a carer has been referred to Carers FIRST by the CSC for on-going support, they can contact us directly through our Carers Hub: 0300 303 1555 info@CarersFIRST.org.uk  

Other contact details: Professional organisations can contact us for information: 0300 303 1555 www.CarersFIRST.org.uk   LincsAdmin@CarersFIRST.org.uk  

Other contact details: Carers FIRST 2nd Floor 28 Market Place Grantham Lincolnshire NG31 6LR