Carers
Advisory Planning Group

The Cardiff Health Social Care and Well Being Strategy 2008-2011 identifies carers in Cardiff as one of its priorities.

 

Mission Statement

The Carers APG cross cuts all aspects of the Health, Social Care and Well Being Strategy. The Cardiff Carers' Plan provides the strategic direction and areas of action for the APG.

 

Key Achievements 2005-2008:

  • Increased availability of specific information for carers has been provided by the Council and various voluntary organisations via regular newsletters and meetings.
  • Young Carers' Strategy has been developed and a Young Carers' Development Worker has been appointed to implement the Strategy.
  • Funding provided by Adult Services, Cardiff Council to provide carers with a dedicated drop in Carers' Centre.
  • Additional services for carers of people with mental health needs have been funded through Adult Services, Cardiff Council.
  • Mental Health Development Project produced 'Directions' a guide for carers of older people with mental health needs.
  • The minority ethnic carers 'Upna' Centre increased from fortnightly to weekly sessions and a development worker appointed.
  • Adult Services funded a Cardiff Carers' Forum, which is facilitated by the Carers' Centre.
  • A counselling and telephone advice service for relatives / carers of clients who suffer with dementia called SOLACE was launched in October 2006. The staff arrange regular support meetings for carers and important topics and speakers are also discussed / arranged for these meetings.
  • Carers are now involved in student nurse training (mental health branch), talking to students of their experiences of being a carer.
  • A specific bereavement suite is available at Whitchurch Hospital with nursing expertise to assist the bereaved in coming to terms with their loss, in confidential and appropriate surroundings.

 

Priorities and Key Strategic Aims 2008-2011:

  1. To promote health improvement for carers, identifying the main health issues affecting carers through the health task and finish group of the Carers APG.
  2. To reduce inequalities for carers and promote equal access by continuing to look at ways of ensuring carers from all communities and backgrounds are able to access services to meet their individual needs.
  3. Provide appropriate respite, identifying the type of respite appropriate for carers to ensure that their caring role can be sustained.
  4. Further develop information to carers, in accessible formats, Plain English, and at appropriate times throughout their caring role.
  5. Increase the number of carers known to health and social care services, in order to facilitate completion of Carer's Assessments.
  6. Increase knowledge and recognition of carers via Carers Awareness Training, particularly through social services induction training.
  7. Implement carer friendly policies within the Council and NHS and use these as good practice for other Cardiff employers.
  8. Implement the most practical and effective ways of involving carers in the planning and development of services.
  9. To continue to encourage joint working between statutory, voluntary and private sector organisations to provide a range of services to carers and ensure that carers are considered in all service delivery.

 

Partners on the Carers APG

 

Key Documents

 

Other Web Links

 

Contact

Carers Centre Manager
Cardiff & Vale Carers Centre
Victoria House
250 Cowbridge Road East
Cardiff
CF5 1GZ

cvacarerscentre@btconnect.com
healthalliance@cardiff.gov.uk