To consider the draft carers strategy for 2021 to 2026 from the adults and communities directorate and to determine any recommendations the Health and Wellbeing Board wishes to make.

The Board received a report from the senior commissioning officer concerning the Carers Strategy. The Interim Assistant Director, All Ages Commissioning (IADAAC) introduced the report and outlined: the extensive engagement that had taken place; the vision of the strategy, its overarching/cross cutting themes and 5 key points; the establishment of a board to oversee the implementation of the strategy; and the timeline for the strategy’s approval and publication.

During the course of the debate the Board raised the following points and questions:

·       The funding that would be available for the strategy and the importance of parity with other areas.

The IADAAC explained that there would be no change to the funding arrangements locally;

·       The importance of a focus on providing support to young carers.

The IADAAC explained that the strategy sought to support vulnerable carers. The strategy co-ordinated help from early help and family support services at Herefordshire Council with existing third sector organisations to support young carers. All-family assessments would identify support needs for young carers including educational/training, primary care and social needs;

·       The support of the Adult and Wellbeing and Children and Young People Scrutiny Committees for the strategy was noted;

·       The wide-ranging and extensive consultation undertaken for the strategy was commended. In particular it was noted that the engagement had taken place during the difficult circumstances of the pandemic;

·       It was noted that the strategy was the first element of the Integrated Care System (ICS) to be publicised and progressed which provided a whole-system approach to be delivered with the coordination of all partners; 

·       The importance of the Think Carer initiative was highlighted to address a lack of awareness of young carers and the challenges they faced;

·       It was queried what support could be provided by members of Board to assist the strategy.

The IADAAC explained that support would be provided through the ICS.

·       A query was raised regarding additional resource that might be necessary to support some of the initiatives in the strategy, including the check-in proposed for carers, or whether teams existed that would take on the work.

The IADAAC explained that teams were already in place to take the work forward and there would be monitoring of the take-up of the check-ins by carers.

·       It was highlighted that a proactive approach was necessary to raise awareness among carers of entitlement to support revenue and benefits.

The Acting Director for Adults and Communities highlighted the money on your mind website which provided awareness to people of available support.

·       The fundamental importance of the interaction of the strategy across the system with other pathways was raised.

The Acting Director for Adults and Communities explained that the ICS would ensure that themes in the strategy would be embedded in the whole-system approach.

·       The strategy was welcomed by the Board.

The Board agreed a change to recommendation (b) in the report to include the words as a system. The change reflected the emphasis placed upon the whole system approach which had been highlighted by the Board during  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9

To consider the attached draft carers strategy for 2021 to 2026 from the adults and communities directorate and to determine any recommendations the committee wishes to make.

The chairperson advised that the purpose of this item was to consider the draft carers strategy for 2021 to 2026.

The head of community commissioning and resources (HCCR) introduced the report, the principal points included:

i.           The document was an early draft of the carers strategy and this was an opportunity for the committee to influence and shape the document; a further version would be presented to the health and wellbeing board in June 2021, and the final version would be presented to cabinet in September 2021.

ii.         Engagement on the strategy would continue with carers and wider stakeholders.

iii.        In addition to the covering report and draft strategy, a review of the joint carers strategy 2017-21 was included in the agenda papers.

iv.        The draft strategy identified five priorities: carers voice; carers in the community; services offered to carers; carers wellbeing; and financial.  It also identified two over-arching themes: ‘think carer’ and ‘carers and technology’.  It was reported that these had emerged from feedback and contributions from carers and other stakeholders.

v.         Attention was drawn to the outline action plan which summarised the key actions proposed under each of the priorities and would be developed further in subsequent versions.

The chairperson invited the attending experts by experience to comment.  Cat Hornsey said that parent carers were not represented enough currently and hoped that the new strategy would help to address this.  Barbara Millman considered that coordination between services could be improved to ensure that the offered solution was appropriate to the needs of both the person being cared for and for the carer, adding that technology could not always be utilised effectively by people with dementia.

Ian Stead said that Healthwatch Herefordshire was pleased to see the draft strategy, particularly the intention to ensure that carers voice was heard and the proposed establishment of a carers partnership board.  Mr Stead commented that carers often felt isolated and there was a need to provide single points of contact to help them to access sources of information, support, and networks.  It was noted that the Talk Community programme could help to identify carers in local communities.

The assistant director for adults social care operations (ADASCO) commented on the modernisation of adults social care pathways, reflecting the rights of carers and aligned to strengths-based practice.  It was reported that anyone who received an assessment through the Care Act would be linked in to community brokers, who could help to identify community resources to support the person.  The isolation of carers during the COVID pandemic had been a significant concern and reviews would be undertaken, utilising Talk Community options and formal services where necessary.

The chairperson welcomed the draft strategy and the direction of travel, especially the strengths-based approach, the extensive engagement, the establishment of a carers partnership board, and the recognition of the challenges around the identification of carers.  It was noted that much of the draft strategy was shaped around long term care but it was questioned whether specific approaches could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48