Report of the Executive Director of Adult Social Services

The purpose of this report is to provide an annual update on the significant work underway to improve the lives of unpaid Carers in the city.

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director of Adult Social Services that provided an annual update on the significant work underway to improve the lives of unpaid Carers in the city.

Key points and themes in the report included:

·         The procurement of a fully commissioned Service Provider through a new contractual agreement;

·         The process currently being undertaken to fill the vacant gap in North Manchester through a Locality Lead Provider (sourced from Carers Manchester Network);

·         Update on work in Central and South Manchester by the Locality Lead Providers;

·         Areas of focus by Gaddum, the commissioned service provider to deliver the Carers pathway;

·         National investment by the Department of Health and Social Care in Carers through the Accelerated Reform Fund;

·         Update from the ASC Statutory Carers Team and latest performance on assessment activity; and

·         Information relating to the Carers Emergency Fund.

The Committee heard from Dave Williams, Chief Officer, Manchester Carers Forum;

Dorothy Evans, Chief Executive, African Caribbean Care Group; Glyn Meacher, Carers Programme Pathway Manager, Gaddum; and Margaret and Ann, carers in Manchester who spoke of their lived experience as carers and of the role of individual organisations to identify and support carers across the city.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were:

·         Thanking the invited guests for sharing their lived experience;

·         Carers needed appropriate levels of financial support, noting that the level of Carers Allowance awarded was inadequate;

·         Noting that the report described the significant amount of work being undertaken across the city to support carers;

·         What would be the approach to supporting carers in the north of the city, noting the figures in the report that described that nearly half of Carers (48%) lived in North Manchester;

·         More information was sought in relation to online resources for carers;

·         Noting that unpaid carers saved the public purse by undertaking their role unrecognised;

·         Welcoming the £33 administrative fee was now covered by the Carers budget for the pilot Carer respite break service for the period described; and

·         Noting the many young carers that existed across the city, many of whom did not identify themselves as being a carer and what was being done to support them.

The Assistant Director, Commissioning noted the comments regarding funding and budgets and advised that there had been increased investment into support for carers in the city, however recognised that more needed to be done, especially in regard to identifying those carers that were not known. She commented that a Young Carers Coordinator post existed within Childrens Services and that systems and protocols were established for those young carers to be assessed in a timely manner as they transitioned into adult services. She also referred to the ‘No Wrong Door’ Memorandum of Understanding that would ensure that carers were referred to the most appropriate support pathway at the appropriate time. She added that more detailed information on the work to support young carers could be included in future update reports.

The Assistant Director, Commissioning stated that the Carers Manchester brand, a collective branding, included a dedicated website and online resource, providing a digital presence with an online referral form. She commented that a significant number of referrals were made by professionals, and they preferred the digital format. She commented that Gaddum continued to produce a quarterly newsletter that was provided in a physical format to meet individual accessibility needs. She commented that this newsletter included relevant information and advice.  

The Chief Officer, Manchester Carers Forum said that the model and learning that had been developed and delivered in South Manchester would be adapted to meet the needs of carers in North Manchester. He commented that it was important to recognise that a ‘one size fits all’ approach was not appropriate, and they would link into the many established statutory services and voluntary organisations already successfully working in the locality, including those working with people with dementia and learning disabled citizens and their families. He said this approach would assist in identifying need and establishing connections and dialogue with carers. 

The Pathway Manager, Gaddum commented that they had undertaken projects with carers specifically around the issue of the cost-of-living crisis and had supported people to access the Housing Support Fund.

The Chief Executive, African Caribbean Care Group (ACCG) commented on the need to hold events to recognise and celebrate carers. In response to a question from the Committee she advised that the ACCG had been providing support for 40 years and were acutely aware of the cultural sensitivity regarding caring amongst different communities of identity. She stated that the ACCG engaged and took the time to understand the different barriers to carers accessing support with the intention to support individuals and families before they reached a crisis point.

Both Margaret and Ann articulated their individual lived experience as carers. They spoke of the importance of support from organisations such as ACCG and Gaddum, noting that it was often simple things, such as being able to talk to somebody who understood their situation over a cup of tea that made a huge difference. Ann added that this support had allowed her the space to be able to develop and pursue her own interests in life and to flourish as an individual. 

The Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care reiterated the importance of articulating the voice of carers and their lived experience at meetings such as this. He commented that this voice continued to inform and direct the work described throughout the report. He said that the service continued to challenge itself in regard to increasing the number of carers across the city to access support.

Decision

To note the report.