Agenda item

Scrutiny Review of Unpaid Carers - To Follow

Minutes:

The Executive Director for Adults & Communities advised Members that, following a topic prioritisation meeting, that carers (both paid and unpaid) had been identified for in-depth review. Services provided for unpaid carers would be considered initially.

 

A presentation was delivered, which covered the following key points:

 

·      The definition of unpaid carer, as a person providing care who is not part of the commissioned workforce.

·      The local population profile, pointing to the acute challenges posed by an ageing population in Redcar & Cleveland Borough, resulting in a greater burden of caring on fewer people. Members noted that there is a higher burden of unpaid care in Redcar & Cleveland than in much of the rest of the country.

·      The types of care provided, the impact of caring on carers and the growing burden on unpaid carers.

·      The national context, with statistics estimating the number of unpaid carers in England and Wales at 5 million and showing that around 4.7% of the population provide 20 hours or more per week of care.

·      Changes to the Care Act introduced in 2014 which put in place significant new rights for carers in England. 

·      Redcar and Cleveland statistics relating to the number of known carers and the estimated hours of care they provided, and consultation responses regarding quality-of-life metrics and access to support and services.

·      Partnership working leading to the development of important services. Members were referred to the South Tees Carers Forum, South Tees Carers Strategy and the South Tees All Age Carer Support Services. Further to this, the South Tees We Care, You Care platform provided an essential signposting service.

·      Members were asked to note that improvement work relating to carers assessments had been identified and might be a focus for the review.

·      An internal Carers Working Group was working with Healthwatch to improve services.

 

As part of the ensuing discussion, the following comments and questions were noted:

 

·      Further to a question relating to Carers Allowance, Members were advised that carer benefits did not have any impact on whether a carer could access local authority carer services, although may impact on carers views and the services they wished to access.  

·      A Member noted some of the difficulties faced by residents when accessing services at the transition from Children’s to Adults Services, particularly in relation to unpaid caring. Members were advised that transitional social work was a priority, with, amongst other initiatives, the introduction of a preparatory 14+ review stage. Further to discussion, it was AGREED a scrutiny review of support for carers and guardians of families going through transitions, be prioritised as part of the work programme. This should involve the formation of a joint task and finish panel, between Adults, Wellbeing & Health and Children & Families Scrutiny & Improvement Committees. The Chair of Children & Families Scrutiny Committee to be contacted with a request to raise the issue at the next meeting.

·      A member noted that across North Yorkshire Social Care Teams, there had been a semantic shift, with the word ‘assessment’ being replaced by ‘conversation’, to alter the perception of the process. There was also greater focus on carers’ needs and the importance of accessibility and locality.  

·      Members were advised that a conversation was ongoing with RCBC staff to identify and support carers. A flexible working policy had been adopted, and a forum for staff carers implemented.

·      A Member asked for consideration to be given to utilising community groups to better identify and engage with unpaid carers.

·      A Member asked the extent to which those identified as ‘economically inactive’ were also part of the population of unpaid carers. Members were advised that there was potentially a small cross-over, although the term ‘economically inactive’ referred primarily to people suffering from long and short-term sickness, those studying or retired and people looking after family/home. Members to be provided with more granular detail if available,  relating to the term ‘economically inactive’ and the extent to which this is impacted by people with unpaid caring duties.

·      Members asked how we reach the many unpaid carers that we are not aware of, particularly in view of the significant economic impact where there is little support provided.

·      Members noted that assessments are daunting for some people and feel impersonal, which may be a barrier to support. Members were advised that the service area is aware of this and is transitioning towards ‘conversation records’ rather than formal assessments.

·      A Member asked how Health and Community Co-ordinators might be utilised to support the service.

·      The Scrutiny Officer to liaise with the Chair and Executive Director to identify external service providers for attendance at the next Committee meeting; NOTED.

 

Supporting documents: