Carers in Employment Pilot – Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is the aim of the pilot?
The aim of this pilot is to research the idea that assistive technology can support carers to balance paid employment with their caring responsibilities.
The assistive technology used should enable a carer to have peace of mind that the person they care for is safe and that, if a crisis does occur, that someone will be alerted as soon as possible.
2.How long will the pilot run for?
The impact of using assistive technology will be assessed over a 12 month period. However, there may also be an opportunity to offer bespoke support based on individual circumstances, beyond the main pilot, for up to a further 6 months.
3.Who can join the pilot?
To access the assistive technology pilot, the person with care needs must live within the Borough of Bury. In addition, the carer must live or work within Bury too.
4.What assistive technology will be available?
This depends on the needs of the carer and the person they care for. As a minimum, each person with care needs will have a home safety and personal security system installed in their home. This consists of a panic button which has a direct link to the Bury Council’s Carelink call centre. Additional technologies can be attached to this as required, for example a flood detector, a door sensor, or as advanced as a GPS tracker. The manager of Carelink will be available to talk through thevarious options.
The use of assistive technology may be a daunting prospect for some carers. To reduceinitial uncertainty, domiciliary care can be arranged to visit the person with care needs as necessary. It is anticipated that, as the pilot progresses and people become comfortable with the technology, visits by a domiciliary care agency will end.
5.Will it cost me anything?
The pilot is completely FREE, including the hire of any assistive technology.
6.What will be expected of carers?
Carers on the pilot may be required to use the assistive technology whilst they are at work. As the pilot aims to evidence the impact of the assistive technology over a 12 month period, carers will be asked to complete a quick evaluation format the start of the pilot and at 2 monthly intervals.
A reflective session will also be undertaken at the end of the pilot to evaluate the entire process. The co-ordinator will support you through the monitoring and evaluation process.
7.What will be expected of the person with care needs?
To understand how the technology can support the person with care needs, they will also be required to complete an evaluation form at the start of the pilot and then every 2 months. The co-ordinator will be available to support this as necessary, dependent on the requirements of that individual.
8.What will be expected of employers?
To fully understand the impact of using assistive technology, including a carer’s ability to continue working, it is essential that we understand the employer’s views. All employers will be asked to complete an evaluation form for each of their employed carers at the start of the pilot and then every 2 months.
The pilot will try to identify a reduction in staff turnover, reduced absenteeism and increased productivity.
9.Can I change the assistive technology assigned to me during the pilot?
Yes. If the carer, the person with care needs and the employer feel that the technology is not meeting their needswe will offer alternative equipment (subject to availability).
The co-ordinator and the manager of Carelink will need to understand the problem to enable them to support you to find something more suitable.
10.What will happen if I need to leave the pilot before the end?
If you are not able to finish the pilot, all assistive technology will need to be returned to Bury Council or funded privately.
If possible, a reflective session will be undertaken with the co-ordinator to understand why you were unable to complete the pilot.
11.What will happen to the technology at the end of the pilot?
The assistive technology is to be returned to Bury Council, unless you choose to fund the equipment privately.
12.How will the data be used?
Information provided by the carer, person with care needs and employer will remain confidential and anonymised, used solely to monitor and evaluate the pilot.