1. Buckinghamshire County Council
Carers’ Services
The changes and what they mean
Trevor Boyd
Strategic Director
Adults & Family Wellbeing
Buckinghamshire County Council

2. Buckinghamshire County Council
Our response to carers is in line with the Government’s
National Strategy for Carers (2008)
“....Carers will be universally recognised and valued as being
fundamental to strong families and stable communities. Support
will be tailored to meet individuals needs enabling carers to
maintain a balance between their caring responsibilities and a life
outside of caring, whilst enabling the person they support to be a
full and equal citizen”

3. Buckinghamshire County Council
“Recognised, Valued and Supported: Next step for Carers
Strategy 2010”
Key priorities for health and social care in supporting carers:
 Identification and recognition
 A life outside caring
 Supporting carers to stay healthy
 Realising and releasing potential

4. Buckinghamshire County Council
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Listening to Carers
Working with health
Carer Support Services
Current Climate
Care and Support Bill

5. Buckinghamshire County Council
Initial contact with health and social care services:
 Working with GPs
 Community Practice Workers
 Working with hospitals
 Contacting social care
 Information and advice

6. Buckinghamshire County Council
Social Care Staff working with Carers:
Ensure staff have the right skills and knowledge
 E-learning module
 Specialist training
 Carer awareness
 Comprehensive Guidance
 Go To Person

7. Buckinghamshire County Council
Social Care Staff working with Carers
Improvements to Carers’ Assessments:
 Ensuring carers needs are met through Community Care
Assessments
 A Positive Experience of Carer’s Assessment
 Carers’ rights
 Face-to face meetings
 Self Assessment available
 Agreed support/action plans

8. Buckinghamshire County Council
Social Care Staff working with Carers (continued)
Services to Carers:
 Support for the person they care
for
 Referral on to other appropriate
social care services/support
 Advice and information
 Carers Direct Payments
 Referral to Carers Bucks

9. Buckinghamshire County Council
Carers Support services
 We consulted with Carers from January – March 2013
 Held a consultation event with local carers
 Developed detailed specification for the new service
 Tender was published on 2 September 2013
 Decision regarding the new service will be published in
January 2014

10. Buckinghamshire County Council
Benefits of the new service model:
 Brings together young carers and adult
carers
 Alignment to BCC’s Care Management
services
 Shared knowledge with BCC on carers
needs – same system
 Intensive support model for carers
 Information and advice
 Specific older carers service
 Increased training and volunteering
opportunities