Strategic Review of Carer Support Stage 3 Clare Cotter 14 th December 2009

The Vision Every carer has a named worker in their community, who through a range of activities is able to respond to their individual emotional and / or practical needs

The Vision How did we get there? Named Worker Range of activities Response to the individual Emotional and / or practical

Carer Support Worker Roles Personal skills –Empathy, listening, problem solving, compassion, responsive, confidence boosting, trustworthy, flexible Professional skills –Organisation and co-ordination of tasks –Facilitation –Resourceful –Inclusive and engaging –Communication

Carer Support Worker Roles Knowledge –‘Eyes and ears’ in the community –Navigation through services / service change –Access points into services Practical help –Accompanying carers to appointments –Transport / lifts –Help with form filling –Advocacy

Learning and development Time allocation: –Induction –Formal network –Appraisal process –Mentoring / supervision –Buddying

Learning and development Managing groups Safeguarding Domestic Violence AddictionConfidentiality Carer Rights / benefits Dementia and other specialist areas – awareness Safe lone working Carers Assessment Local knowledge – contact details

Current Resources – over view Generic –Devon Carers Link –Devon Young Carers –GAP – GP Practices Specialist –Parent Carer Voice –(Devon Young Carers) –Learning Disability –Mental Health –Voluntary Sector (various) –GAP – Acute Trusts –GAP – Dementia Advisors –GAP – Older People with Physical and Sensory Disabilities –GAP – Autistic Spectrum Disorders –GAP - Addiction

Challenges Understanding the full picture Identifying core functions & agreeing what sits where Filling the gaps – resource implications and realistic approach / timescales Designing a clear care pathway