1. Supporting independent living
People First
Supporting independent living
Who has heard of People First?
ASC website for WCC, RBKC, soon LBHF. We are part of the councils

2. What the site offers Easy-to-find information
Details of local services, products, support organisations and events
Professionals supported in providing consistent and accessible information and advice.
meet the requirements of the Care Act to provide comprehensive information about local care and support services....
Keep brief / more detail to come – just refer to the bullet points

3. The Care Act
places a duty on LAs to provide clear and comprehensive information and advice to the public on all aspects of adult social care and health and a number of associated issues.
People First is the main vehicle by which the Tri-Borough authorities will look to fulfil this duty
People First will be at the heart of information and advice for residents and professionals
We are working with Health colleagues to put more health information on the site
Who knows about the Care Act?
April 2015 – many changes and formalising of some current practices – assessment process, carer assessment, safeguarding, financial charging for support
Emphasis on prevention and well-being
One of duties is re information advice > refer to bullet points

4. What do people want? Our research shows people think:
It would be good to
get some help looking
after mum, I don’t know
where to look though ..
I like to look after
Jim, but I could do with a break. What would he do without me though...
I’m frightened of
being increasingly housebound, I don’t want to be stuck indoors too much and get lonely...
Briefly explain philosophy – previous research for Kensington and Chelsea
People often don’t define themselves as in need, as disabled, as a carer
They get confused by the jargon used by well-intentioned professionals
And they don’t always feel comfortable approaching their local council for support
They express their emotions and wishes in real terms, based on what they experience as real people
I don’t want to approach the Council!

5. Home page
Bright, friendly appearance which tries not to look like a council website
Using language which we hope the public will understand – i.e. The carer section is called ‘looking after someone’, not ‘for carers’. Telecare section is ‘Gadgets to help you stay safe’
Easy to use:
Main menu along the top giving initial guide to what information is available within
Search function (which we are working to improve)
Top picks
Improvements soon – search functionality, particularly around finding appropriate organisations; FAQs-type feature – What’s on your mind?

6. Content page
Individual content pages, in this case one of our pages for carers
Wide range of issues – health, money, legal, people’s rights in relation to care, information for carers, choices around care and accommodation.
Emphasis on independence, healthy living / prevention / safety, choice and control over lives,
Don’t want to appear as the experts – often around, e.g., health issues we give an introduction and then signpost on to more specialist sources of info
Also trying to give people answers to questions they may not have known they had - related panels to the right which we hope will guide people towards other useful information – e.g. “mum’s got dementia, she needs to go into a home” > signpost to info on Assistive Technology, the Mental Capacity Act

7. Organisation page..
As many organisations as possible – not just details of paid care providers, or of big organisations like Carers Network, but of voluntary sector organisations etc etc – anything which will enable service users and their carers to lead active, independent lives with reduced stress

8. Events and what’s on ..
We want people to lead as active and fulfilling lives as possible, in spite of the restrictions placed on them by health problems, or the demands placed on them by their caring role
Events section with emphasis on inclusiveness, active lives, healthier living – this is not just about events specifically targetting elderly or disabled people, or carers, but on enabling people to be active in wider community
For people receiving direct payments or funding support privately we hope they will be inspired to use their money in a more creative, flexible way
+ they can search on keywords and categories not just look by day/week

9. Not everyone can use the site, but …
Pages can be printed off for people + we’re working on a ‘leaflets library’
Carers, friends, relatives, support workers can assist to access
Encourage participation and use of internet in day centres, drop-in centres, libraries
Encourage people to look at low-level IT courses
Often mentioned – not all people – including some older people, people with disabilities, people on low incomes – have a computer, internet or the skills to use them.
Not all people have adapted to the internet age
The site cannot necessarily be accessed direct by some of the people who need to see it
Then refer to bullet points above

10. How you can help
Spread the word everyone: tell the people you work with, and support them to access the site when possible. Take a few of our business cards with you
Tell us about events, activities and organisations which you know of – share your knowledge
Help us advertise: ask any organisations you have contact with to display posters and distribute cards on our behalf
Help us get GPs, district nurses and other Health colleagues on board
And.....
Refer to bullet points

11. Use the site and feed back to us
What could we do better?
What have we missed?
What have we done well?
Is it easy to use?
constructive criticism
ideas for improvements