1. Young Carers and Mental Health Services – The Triangle of Care A model for Inclusion
Ruth Hannan, Policy & Development Manager, Carers Trust
Chrissie Caines, Senior Manager Surrey County Council/Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

2. Workshop Session
Triangle of Care – how to ensure the system includes carers and promotes a whole family approach
Case Studies – how it can work in practice
Questions

3. Triangle of Care – Why it’s Needed
Conventional Model of Engagement
Can Lead to…
Carers being excluded at certain points of the care pathway
Failure to share information on risk assessment and care planning
Requests by carers for information, support and advice not heard
Carers unique and expert views on the service user can be missed
This is more so for young carers

4. What is the Triangle of Care

5. What is the Triangle of Care
Developed by a group of carers led by author of final guide Alan Worthington.
Based on their experiences of inpatient mental health services over a number of years.
Published in 2010.
Based on six key standards plus a self-assessment tool.

6. Triangle of Care Key Standards
Carers and the essential role they play are identified at first contact or as soon as possible thereafter
Staff are “carer aware” and trained in carer engagement strategies
Policy and protocols re; confidentiality and sharing information are in place
Defined post(s) responsible for carers are in place
A carer introduction to the service and staff is available, with a relevant range of information across the acute care pathway
A range of carer support services is available
And regular assessing and auditing to ensure these six key elements of carer engagement exist and remain in place.

7. Triangle of Care & Whole Family
Promotes inclusion & support for carers in own right
Looks at care pathway and gaps where carers excluded
Links policy to practice
Informs professionals of partners who can support them
Triangle of Care for Young Carers shows how to support young & young adult carers
Builds relationships between partner organisations

8. SABP/SCC Young Carers Action Plan
Action plan is monitored by the Carers Action Group
2 Lead Carers Practice Advisors working with Young Carers
Priorities: identification, information that is in appropriate format and accessible, whole family assessment, resources, videos produced by young carers for young carers in mental health.
Young carers bags on inpatient wards
Information on medication and side effects

9. Case Study
James is 14 and cares for his Mum Katie who has bipolar; James has cared for his mum most of his life but as Katie manages her condition well they have neither needed or been offered support. James is very familiar with his mum’s condition and supports her to remain well.
Katie has recently lost her job and this has had a negative impact on her mental health to the point where James had to call an ambulance for her. Katie was taken to hospital with James in the ambulance. Both were very distressed by the time they arrived.
How should the hospital support and help James?

10. Case Study
Alice (10) cares for her brother Ben (13) who has recently become very depressed and is being looked after by the CAMHS service.
Their parents (Carl & Delilah) have a history of poor mental health but they have never been hospitalised and their social worker is happy with how they parent the children.
What should CAMHS services do to ensure the family’s needs are recognised?

11. Ruth Hannan