Agenda item

(To receive a report by Anne-Marie Scott, Assistant Director – Prevention and Early Intervention, which provides an introduction to the Lincolnshire Carers Service which was re-commissioned in October 2022)

Consideration was given to a report from the Anne-Marie Scott, Assistant Director – Prevention and Early Intervention, which provided the Committee with an introduction to the Lincolnshire Carers Service which had been re-commissioned in October 2022.  It was noted that the service provided a single point of access for unpaid carers to seek advice, support and guidance through a universal offer and receive further support where eligible.  Details relating to the extent and range of service available were detailed within the report presented.

It was highlighted that the Lincolnshire Carers Service supported the Council’s legal obligations under the Care Act 2014, to promote the wellbeing of unpaid carers and to prevent, reduce and delay the onset of need.

It was noted further that in its first year, the service had demonstrated positive outcomes and received excellent customer feedback.

It was highlighted that data from the annual Survey of Adult Carers in England had indicated that in Lincolnshire, most of the carers who had responded were retired, spending 100 hours a week in their caring role. As such, it was felt that those accessing the Lincolnshire Carers service were carers who were spending a large proportion of their time caring and may require more support to balance their caring role with their own wellbeing.

In conclusion, the Committee noted that by intervening early and providing access to information, advice, practical and emotional help and financial support, carers could have a life of their own while effectively maintaining their caring responsibilities.

During consideration of this item, the following comments were noted:

·       Some concern was expressed that the number of carers supported in the last 12 months had still not been met, despite all the good work highlighted in the report.  The Committee was advised that the measure in question shown in the performance report to be considered later on in the agenda was not just a measure of the Lincolnshire Carers Service, it was a measure for the broader services that were offered to carers, including children’s as well.  It was reported that the performance indicator would be reviewed for the next financial year to ensure that the definition and target was appropriate, and some benchmarking would be undertaken to see how performance compared to other authorities;

·       That the service needed to be promoted better.  It was reported that the service was primarily promoted through the Council’s website, the Connect to Support website, County News and by adult social care colleagues.  The Committee noted that a carer’s hub had recently opened at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, which focused on those coming to hospital to support somebody, so that there was somewhere they could go for help and advice.  It was suggested that a reference card detailing the range of services available to a carer would be useful for elected members to have and be able to pass on to those in their communities who came to them for guidance;.

·       It was highlighted that nationally it could take up to two years for an individual to identify themselves as a carer, as they saw what they were doing as part of their responsibility. It was highlighted that the Carers Delivery Group was trying to strengthen the message out to council employees through the Staff Carers network, and that the system was making progress, but there was recognition that there was more to be done to make sure carers were a priority.  A suggestion was put forward to have an elected member ‘Champion Carer’;

·       One member requested clarification concerning the calculation behind the nominal value of labour for unpaid care in Lincolnshire.  Officers agreed to provide this information to the member following the meeting;

·       Thanks were extended to carers in recognition of the valuable service they provided;

·       An explanation was provided as to how a carer accessed the service and that the initial conversation, they had with an advisor was a strength conversation, identifying what they would like to achieve and how they could achieve it.  It was noted that this was reflected in the small numbers that then went forward to have a formal carer’s assessment, as their needs had been met from the initial conversation;

·       Confirmation was provided that if an individual stopped being a carer, they could still access the service, as there was help and support for carers who were bereaved and support for former carers.  It was also highlighted that other commissioned services such as the Wellbeing Service could be accessed if needed; and

·       The importance of carers having access to respite care and for carers to know what was available to them in their local communities, an example given was a local football club offering free admission to carers.  Officers agreed to take the suggestion back to the Lincolnshire Carers Service to explore further.

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee extended his thanks to the presenters.

RESOLVED

That the role of all carers of all ages in Lincolnshire be recognised as a benefit, not only to the individual they care for, but to the local community as a whole.