Informal Carers Sue Ernstzen Introduction. Adults caring for Adults. Ask if any one knows carers or what the definition of a carer means to them. How inspiring working with carers has been.

What is the definition of a Carer? The Care Act defines a carer as: “ an adult who provides or intends to provide care for another adult needing care” Clause10 (3) Care Act How the care act changed the definition from providing regular and substantial amount of hours. Landmark for the first time carers are recognised as the same as the cared for. 1

Another Definition A carer is someone of any age who provides unpaid support to family or friends who could not manage without his help. This could be caring for a relative, partner a child or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems. “Recognised, Valued and Supported :Next steps for the carers strategy , 2010” Broader definition inclusive of Young carers 2

Statistics Almost 7 million informal carers in the UK 700,000 of these are young carers 42% men; 58% women Save the government approximately £119 billion every year Three in five people will care for someone at some point in their lives Over the next 30 years, the number of carers will increase by 3.4 million (around 60%).   3

In 2011, it was estimated that there were 25,033 informal carers living in Medway. The latest figures which illustrate the 2000 rise in carers since 2009. 4

Carer’s Assessment Request a carer’s assessment by contacting your Local Authority’s social services department Looks at the needs of the carer, their willingness and ability to continue caring, the impact that caring has had on their lives, and whether they could benefit from additional services Assesses if the Carer is eligible to receive a service. Provide advocacy for the carer if necessary The number of criteria to meet to be eligible. The responsibility of the LA to meet the need if they are eligible. The assessment it self gives the carer a voice. The assessment should focus on how to enable and empower carers to take charge and manage their own situation. 5

National Eligibility criteria for Carers Do the needs arise because the carer is providing necessary care and support? Is the carer’s physical and mental health affected or deteriorating , or is the carer unable to achieve any of a list of outcomes? Is there consequently a significant impact on the Carers health andwellbeing? List outcomes 6

Carers Rights Individuals can request a carer’s assessment in their own right, independent of the person that they care for Local Authorities are required to take this carer’s assessment into account when commissioning community care services Local Authorities have a mandatory duty to provide services to carers and have a ‘duty to inform’ of their rights to an assessment The cared for does not need to be known to SSD and does not have to be included in the assessment. Consultation with Carers Partnership Board and other Carer Forums. Carers should be recognised as the Expert Care Partners 7

Carers Rights Carers can receive a direct payment for the support that they provide The carer’s assessment must take into account their wishes to work and undertake education, training and leisure activities. The Local Authority are responsible to meet the need of the carer should they be deemed eligible and if not provide Advice and Information. 8

Care Act 2014 All carers are entitled to an assessment of their own needs, regardless of how much support they provide Carers have an eligibility criteria to meet, comparable to the person they care for Carers may be eligible to receive a personal budget, managed either by the Local Authority or through a direct payment 9

Carer Difficulties Impact on leisure time / loss of independence Little choice and control over their own lives Impact on relationships Lack of understanding from employers Financial strain / loss of income Verbal and/or physical abuse Physical and/or emotional health Accessing information and support services Imagine not being able to go out when you want to meet with friends or have a coffee without planning because the person cannot be left alone. The other key difficulty that carers face is that of isolation. Assessments are great way for the carer to verbalise and recognise some of the difficulties they face. 10

Carer’s Allowance Must be aged 16 or over Must be a UK resident Must not be earning more than £110 a week Must be caring for at least 35 hours a week The person they care for must be in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance 11

Carer Services Information and Advice Replacement Care Arrangements Training Courses Welfare Benefits Respite Support Groups Counselling To receive information and advise in a timely manner to enable Informed decisions to be made. Up to four hours a week Manual handling For the cared for to be cared for out of the home to enable the carer to take a break. Carers support groups run in Medway and specialised groups like Dementia, Stroke, MS Phone or one to ones 12

Carer Support Team – Medway Council Up and running since April 2013 Completes carer’s assessments in compliance with the Care Act Offers ongoing advice and support to carers to enable them to continue to care and prevent the caring role from breaking down Liaises with other services and organisations Attends carer support groups Informs on Commissioned services for Carers. Facilitate and coordinate input and services with other organisations. We sit on the panels that provide carers asd 13

Useful Resources Medway Council – www.medway.gov.uk/healthandsocialcare/carers.aspx Direct Gov – www.gov.uk/carers-allowance Carers UK – www.carersuk.org Carers Trust – www.carers.org Carers Direct – www.nhs.uk/carersdirect Carers First – www.carersfirst.org.uk 14

Thank you for Listening Any Questions? 15