1. Working together
Collaborating with Service Users, Family, Friends and Carers –
The Triangle of Care
Marion Dixon – Carers’ Lead, North Somerset

2. What is the Triangle of Care
Triangle of care is the three way partnership between a service user, their family, carer or other informal support network and the service/team.
Triangle of care is also a self-assessment audit using a tool provided by Carers’ Trust.
It is a way of improving our partnership working with families and carers.
The tool enables us to look in detail at a number of key aspects of partnership working and develop action plans to improve this work.
Audits are submitted to the Carers’ Trust who award one or two stars.

3. Second star extended the audit to community teams
First star was for completing audits for inpatient and intensive support teams
AWP have recently been awarded two stars.
Second star extended the audit to community teams
Recovery, Early Intervention, Psychological Therapies Service, Later Life CIT and Memory
Juniper, Elmham Way, Cove and Dune and IST

4. The Triangle of Care – Carers Trust
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 practice 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 care pathway.
A range of carer support services is available.

5. RAG Rating system The assessment utilises a traffic light system to highlight areas of strength and areas for improvement. Red: Under 50% Amber: 50% success rate or more Green: 80% success rate or more Carers Trust also provide examples of good practice and encourage a “warts and all” approach to the self assessment.

6. What are we working on as a result of the audits?
Identifying carers early and providing information.
Routinely asking service users permission to share information with key people
Making information for carers’ accessible and relevant.

7. Carers champions in each team
Carer awareness training for all teams using video of carers’ experiences in AWP
Ensuring all staff are aware of resources for carers and how to refer for carers’ assessments
Involvement worker developing ways for carers to contribute.

9. Experience and expertise Involvement and planning
Key points from the Family, Friends and Carers Charter
Confidentiality
Needs of wider system
Risks and crisis
Experience and expertise
Information
Support
Involvement and planning