Information, Advice and Guidance

This can include many topics such as general care advice, social care process, signposting/ referral to other specialist services, benefits advice, community support and emotional support.

Carers Assessments

Two types of assessments are available both focusing on the needs of the Carer.

• The holistic assessment is a ‘light touch’ assessment enabling the Carer to consider their needs,
• The Care Act Compliant Assessment is an in-depth assessment looking at areas such as Caring role, Employment, Finances, Managing at Home, Wellbeing and Time for Self. A carer may have eligibility needs identified through this assessment.

Carers Breaks

Carers who are assessed as having eligible need under the Care Act can access short breaks – the form of the short break could be day centre provision, out and about or sit in service.

Personal Wellbeing Budgets

Carers assessed as having eligible needs under the Care Act can be considered for a payment to be made, or items can be purchased to support their wellbeing.

Carers Emergency Scheme

Contingency Planning for Carers to consider who would support or how the person they care for would be supported if they were not able to do their caring role in an emergency.

All Carers are eligible for Level 1 where they identify a trusted person within their network who could take over the Caring role (this could be a neighbour, friend, family member). Level 2 is available to Carers where the cared for is over 18 years old, and has complex care needs, and a trusted person would be unable to take on the care. This can result in up to48 hours of domiciliary care being provided in the cared for’s home.

Training, Skills and Development including the ‘YouCan’ programme

The Carers training, skills and development opportunities vary from physical activities, general information, and specific information sessions.

The programme changes and is developed with Carer’s feedback forming decisions of the offer. The YouCan programme aims to support Carers to build positive wellbeing and develop coping strategies. YouCan programmes are flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the targeted group.

Health and Wellbeing

They offer an internal health and wellbeing provision where Carers can engage in six focussed sessions reviewing their own wellbeing and are supported in goal setting.

Emotional Wellbeing

Carers can access both therapeutic counselling through a subcontracting arrangement or the Emotional Wellbeing Pathway for carers who are experiencing a change to their caring role, which is based on the five principles of wellbeing. Both are run by external providers

Health Liaison

Gloucester Carers Hub’s Health Liaison workers work in conjunction with health professionals to ensure Carers are supported through health services and their experiences of services are heard.

Carer Discount Scheme

The Hub are developing a discount scheme where carers can access a discount/ special offers on a range of services such as refreshments, food outlets, gyms, etc.

The discount scheme will be driven by Carer’s feedback.

Engagement with Employers

They can offer Carer Aware training and accreditation of employers indicating they are aware of Carers needs and support employees to maintain employment.

Peer Support

Peer support can be offered through several internal peer support groups and the Buddy-up scheme.

The latter supports to match individuals on basis of caring situation or personal interest.

Gloucester Carers also support several independent peer support groups throughout the county.