Implementing the Carers Equal Opportunities Act 2004 Jill

Implementing the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 Jill Akroyd and Angela Cannon Hertfordshire County Council

Contents • • • Duties – Carers (Equal Opportunities Act) 2004 Good Practice in Carers Assessments How do we know if we are legally compliant? Improving Care Services Carers and Learning Carers and Work Finances/Welfare benefits Helping carer employees Partnerships Tools Contact details

Carers (Equal Opportunities Act) 2004 • s 1 Duty we tell eligible carers of their right to an assessment • s 2 Give due consideration to areas of work, education, training and leisure in carers’ assessment • s 3 Powers to enlist help of health, housing and education authorities in providing support to carers

Good Practice in Carers Assessments • • • Care with jargon used Outcome focussed Proportionate to caring situation Carers as partners Develop support plan with carers Can carers get in touch afterwards?

How do we know if we are legally compliant? • Current performance Indicators – quality not measured • Recording of carers assessments – an accurate picture of activity? • Carers mainly unaware of new rights • Section 3 – largely untested

Improving care services • Training for care managers and provider services staff in awareness of needs of working carers. • IT database – employment status • More use of Direct payments, individualised budgets • Encouraging day services to open longer • Transport – punctuality essential • Telecare

Carers and Learning • • Training often a step towards employment IT skills update most often requested ? Distance Learning or attending a course Flexibility in modules is key Carer concessions Involve Adult Learning partners NEC, City & Guilds – carer specific Ensure information is carer accessible

Carers and Work • • • Long employment gap – more support Voluntary work often the way in Information, guidance, goal setting Carers – supported employment Job Centre Plus – train staff in carer awareness • Care services or find job –which first?

Finances / Welfare Benefits • “Better Off “ Calculations – carers can make informed choices • Use of carers grant to buy – if service not available free • Many on lower hourly rates worse off –Real change – not short change (Carers UK lobbying for New Carers Strategy • Finance not sole motivation for working

Helping Carer Employees • …as care managers, line managers, HR policy officers • 18% workforce in LA’s are carers • 13% in private companies • Work and Families Act – new rights • Flexible Working policies • Carer/ management agreements • Off-line carer employee support

Partnerships • Essential to support Carer Vol. Orgs • Carers centres/ Vol orgs – more attractive to carers • Hidden carers – GPs, JCPlus, • Multi – agency Strategy –PCTs , District Councils – Carers Champions, Vol Orgs, LAA reps, Learning Skills Council, Investing in Communities, Supported Employment, College leads, HR,

Small group exercise • Elect a scribe • Discuss what has worked well in your organisation • Decide on 3 activities/policies to share with main group

Tools • Carers Assessment form • Helping Carers to Prepare for an assessment form • Carers and Employment Guide • Nextstep report • Carers prep pack – before careers guidance • Carer/ Manager Agreement form • Working for Carers DVD and training pack

For further information: Contact : Jill Akroyd, Project Manager, jill. akroyd@hertscc. gov. uk Angela Cannon, Carers Development Manager angela. cannon@hertscc. gov. uk telephone 01707 280659 Hertfordshire County Council, Adult Care Services Users and Carers Performance and Workforce dept Mount Pleasant Lane Hatfield, Herts AL 5 9 PU