Implementing the Care Act in Essex

Overview The Care Act – a reminder of the requirements Update on implementation of the Care Act How ECC is responding – for all those in need of care and support 2

3 The Care Act – good news Focus on wellbeing Choice and control Carers on an equal footing with those they care for Prevention and early intervention Integration and Collaboration

Commenced April 2015 Duties on prevention and wellbeing Duties on information and advice (including advice on paying for care) Duties on market shaping – so people can choose their support from a range of sources National minimum eligibility criteria for both adults and carers - who gets help and why. New assessment framework – the asset model Personal budgets and care and support plans New charging framework – how we work out how much people may have to contribute to the cost of their care Universal deferred payments agreements – “not having to sell your house in your lifetime to pay for care” Safeguarding of Adults Board on a statutory footing 4

Delayed until 2020 The Government recently announced that they will postpone, until 2020, the following aspects of the Care Act 2014 originally due to commence in April 2016; Extended means test – new capital thresholds Cap on charging for care Care Accounts 5

6 Information, advice and guidance – what the Care Act requires Duty placed on local authorities to establish and maintain information and advice services relating to care and support for all people in its area; Accessibility and proportionality of information and advice; Independent Advocacy Services Development of plans/strategies to meet local needs.

What People told us they want ‘ It’s nice to be able to come to one place to be able to get information on a number of subjects…Expertise…makes a lot of difference because …people …might come with one problem and actually there might be five or six more problems behind that one’ Source: Healthwatch Essex, Exploring people’s experiences of finding out about health and social care services (2013). 7

What we have done so far in Essex Partnership with Healthwatch & Advice Sector Advice Strategy, Prevention Strategy, Carers Strategy Developed the portal – Living Well in Essex- Whole Essex Information Sharing (WEIS) ‘Good Lives’ Independent Advocacy Community Agents 8

9 Good Lives - A new offer enabling resilience, maximising independence, personalising support

Supported by a different type of conversation 10 Conversation 1: ‘How can I connect you to things that will help you get on with your life – based on your assets, strengths and those of your family and neighborhood. What do you want to do? What can I connect you to?’ Conversation 2: When people are at risk – ‘What needs to change to make you safe? How do I help make that happen? What offers do I have at my disposal, including small amounts of money and using my knowledge of the community to support you? How can I pull them together in an ‘emergency plan’ and stay with you to make sure it works’? Conversation 3: What is a fair personal budget and where do the sources of funding come from? what does a good life look like? how can I help you use your resources to support your chosen life.? Who do you want to be involved in good support planning?

Carers Count in Essex – joint carers strategy Broader than the Care Act Presents what we know about caring in Essex and the changes we’d like to see over the next five years Reflects what carers have told us Recognises the value that carers bring Focuses on the wellbeing and life chances of all carers Describes a set of principles for achieving improved outcomes, and a new four-level model of support 11

How we will make things better for carers From 2015 onwards we will be very much focused on achieving outcomes for carers. By outcomes we mean the change brought about by an action, intervention or service. Outcomes might relate to changes in skills, attitudes, knowledge, behaviours, status, or life condition. The outcomes have been discussed and agreed with a range of carers, commissioners and service providers to ensure they reflect the changes that everyone considers important. We’ve grouped these outcomes around the following themes: 1.Choice and control - Carers know what their options are now and for the future and are supported to plan for all stages of their caring role. 2.Respect and recognition - Carers are recognised, respected, valued and included as expert and knowledgeable partners by professionals. 3.Access to networks of support - Carers are connected to local community support networks. 4.Achieving full potential - Carers are able to access education, employment and life opportunities. 5.Good health and wellbeing - Carers are able to maintain their health and wellbeing, both physically and emotionally, whilst managing their caring role. 6.Independence - Carers are resilient and able to sustain a life of their own alongside their caring role.

What does this mean in practice ? Giving Carers the same status as the person they care for. Looking holistically at a whole family situation. Judging when a combined assessment is helpful or when separate conversations might be needed. Looking at strengths and assets. Using professional judgement to determine whether a review is appropriate and if so, at what point. Actively identifying carers, offering an assessment where there is an appearance of need. Remember to identify any child/young carers and make the appropriate referral in line with the pathway shortly to be published Focusing on the Carer’s wellbeing (nine characteristics). Treating carers as expert partners in care. Identifying and supporting young carers