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22 Nov 2008, Time:17:54
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Advocacy for Carers - key principles
Carers should have recognition:
- Of the value of their contribution to health and social care for people in need.
- Of their differing needs as individuals.
- Of their needs for a range of practical and emotional support.
- Of their expertise and skills.
- Of the need to involve carers in monitoring services and the importance of taking into account their experiences in the evaluation of services.
Carers should have choice:
- Subject to their own cultural beliefs.
- On whether or not to take on or continue their caring role.
- On whether or not to become involved in the assessment of the person they care for.
- To have an assessment of their own needs.
- To be consulted on and involved in planning services that they and the person they care for receive.
- To use advocacy and mediation services.
Carers should have information:
- Which is coordinated and easily accessible.
- Which is available at all stages, especially before, but also during and after caring.
- Which is available in a range of formats and languages.
- About eligibility criteria, charging policy and welfare benefits.
Carers should be provided with appropriate practical help:
- Which promotes their good health.
- Through good assessment procedures, tailoring services to individual needs.
- Which includes a range of good quality flexible services, planned with carers and including practical help such as laundry, shopping, housework and sitting services.
- Which includes opportunities for short and longer term breaks.
- Which includes the development of greater range of innovative and flexible respite services.
- Which includes support to deal with all aspects of caring including the end of caring responsibilities.
Services and information should be co-ordinated within and across agencies in order to best meet the needs of carers:
- Carer sensitive policy and practice should be encouraged.
- Wherever possible, and subject to confidentiality and choice, relevant information should be shared between agencies.
Carers should be involved in planning and monitoring the services they receive:
- In order to properly reflect the different needs of carers and to take into account their culture, race, religion, gender, age, disability or illness.
- Organisations should continue to explore creative ways to involve carers in the planning process.
- Cares should be encouraged to express their views about services they and the person cared for receive.
- Carers views should be listened to and recorded.
- Carers should always receive feedback on their contribution and what has happened as a result.
Contact Details
By Post
Social Care Help Desk
Wiltshire County Council
Department of Community Services
(Adult Social Care Services)
County Hall
Trowbridge
BA14 8LE
By Email
socialcarehelpdesk@wiltshire.gov.uk
By Telephone
01225 713001
By Fax
01225 713355
Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Friday 9.00am - 4.00pm
