To consider a Carers’ Steering Group update.
Minutes:
Documents:
· Care and Support in Powys
· Carers Memorandum of Understanding
· Carers Steering Group – Terms of Reference
· Taking a Break – Respite in Powys
· Carers Steering Group Minutes – 25 February, 30 April, 14 October 2019
Discussion:
· Informal Carers including family, friends and neighbours, provide 97% of support and care
· There is both a legal and moral duty to support carers
· Co-production has been very successful
· The Carers Steering Group has become more robust
· A Section 33 Agreement was in place but the group has asked the Joint Partnership Board for a Memorandum of Understanding – a decision is due in the next few weeks
· The Integrated Care Fund has provided support for members to attend groups and committees
· Credu is developing an app for carers
· Respite for carers is very challenging
· Credu is developing a project to co-produce bespoke respite care which may not necessarily take the form of residential care
· There is close co-operation between the Health Board and Education with respect to young carers
· Awareness raising in schools also continues
· There is a level of dissatisfaction amongst carers regarding the availability of respite
· One bed has been identified in each residential home for respite care. However, this may not always be the best solution.
· Although the Health Authority also has a duty towards carers, this responsibility falls mainly to Social Services. Funds are awarded by Welsh Government to both bodies for this purpose. The Health Authority also pay for emergency, short respite care.
· It is not always easy to meet needs in rural areas. A large number of families need respite and whilst every effort is made to meet needs, someone else’s needs may take precedence. Difficult decisions sometimes have to be made.
· Honest discussions are needed, and the service will do all it can to meet needs, but resources are limited
· The model of respite care may meet the needs of the cared for rather than the carer
· It was also recognised that there would be an unknown level of unmet need. Every effort is made to ensure that carers are aware of their rights.
· There is little or no benchmarking amongst the 3rd Sector. The Welsh Government are unable to provide comparator data. It was suggested that the Chair write to the Welsh Government requesting that such information be collated and provided.
· A question was raised regarding aids and equipment for children and whether this was fair and accessible to everyone. The Head of Commissioning chairs the Board which awards aids – he was not aware of any refusal of a request for an aid for a child but questioned whether requests were being made. An adaptation takes on average 181 days, but this was the shortest time in Wales. Wheelchairs were not the responsibility of Social Services but of the Artificial Limb and Appliance Service which is a national body. There is a Section 33 Agreement for equipment services, supplemented by other funds such as the Intermediate Care Fund.
County Councillor J M Williams left the meeting at 12.25.
Outcomes:
· The Chair would write to the Welsh Government regarding the provision of comparator data across the 3rd Sector
Supporting documents: