Care Act Consultation Report
To hear from the community we conducted 8 outreach sessions involving 150+ participants in open-ended discussions about the Care Act. Groups targeted through our outreach and engagement work included: carers, people over 65, service users, individuals with mental health needs and professionals.
We also held a public event giving people a chance for more in-depth explanation and discussion on of aspects of the Care Act and ran an online survey.
Our work focussed on:
- Prevention
- Information and Advice
- Finance
- Eligibility
Summary
Prevention
Participants highlighted the need for more support for carers and service users. There was a call for improving and increasing access to services for social interaction and recreational activities to encourage the community to remain fit and healthy. Additionally participants identified a need for better integration and communication between health and social services, carers and service users.
Information and advice
“We can use the internet to find anything we want but in a crisis we’re in hospital by our mum’s bedside and not looking online”.
A clear message from our engagement was that the main sources of information on services were; GPs, libraries, social services, family, friends, Age UK, Citizens Advice Bureau and the local authority. For many participants, the internet was a less favoured method of gaining information. When asked about accessing information, participants also identified the need for one point of contact to simplify the process, as well as information provided at the point of need. Most labelled their GP as the most important individual to go to for information and it was agreed that there was a need for GPs to provide better information and signposting about community activities and organisations. It also became clear that the local authority should make better use of networks of organisations.
Finance
Care Accounts
It became clear that in order to fully understand the purpose of the care account, there needs to be good publicity and clear, simple, effective communication. After an explanation of the care account, most participants agreed there was a benefit to having one but they needed to have it explained clearly.
Assessments
Respondents favoured an approach where the assessments were standardised and transparent, with clear timescales and guidelines to the stages of the process provided. Suggestions were also made around taking a personalised approach; avoiding legal jargon and ensuring the assessment was sensitive and flexible to various conditions. Additionally, assessments should be made short, simple and personalised with easy-to-understand forms using plain English, relevant questions and good administration. Participants also felt that advocacy and legal support should be offered to help individuals through the process.
Deferred Payments
Letting the home to cover the costs of care Responses to question on renting out the home to cover the cost of care were mixed. Many participants said they would not want to rent their homes; others expressed the need for logistical support, good communication from the council and good management of the process. Additionally there was a call for an independent advocate to assist individuals with the process. When asked whether individuals moving into extra care housing should be given the same option to avoid losing their home, 60% of participants said ‘Yes’.
Eligibility
A separate survey on eligibility showed a high level of uncertainty about the eligibility criteria. Concerns were raised over a perceived lack of personalisation and flexibility affecting the ability to maintain the existing level of access to care. The importance of personalisation was consistently repeated. Individuals want one point of contact, one social worker and information from the GP. Also repeated regularly was the need for the local authority to strengthen their relationship with the community through open, transparent and clear communication and to work in partnership with the NHS, carers and service users to coordinate care in a meaningful way.
