OLDER FAMILY CARERS SERVICE ANNUAL REPORT

April 2008 to March 2009

1. Team Update

The Older Family Carers Service has completed its third full year of operation. Heather MacMillan, worker for North Herts & Stevenage, retired in January 09, leaving us with a current total of 65 hours per week. A new worker for the area has been appointed, who is due to join the team in September. The team will then comprise a total working week of 90 hours.

OFCW posts cover corresponding areas to the four CLDTs, Watford/3 Rivers & Hertsmere, St Albans & Dacorum, Welwyn/Hatfield & East Herts and Stevenage & North Herts. Two posts are based at Apsley, two at the Stevenage campus.

2.Outcomes

During the year 2008/09, 80 carer families, of either one or two older carers have been supported.

Analysis of figures is as follows:

Hidden carer families Total 61
No previous contact with carer or cared for / 11
Known previously but lost contact with services / 10
Known but only minimal support and no future planning / 40
Casework outcomes 80 cases
Emotional support / reduction in stress / 73
Information provided / 71
Increased / new services / 34
Contingency / emergency plans agreed / 60
Presentation to accommodation panel / 10
Carers grant provided / 31
Benefits checked / 21
Referred to other agencies / 44
Contact ceased / 14

3.Breakdown of Data

Breakdown of families by area and by age group is as follows:-

1. By Area

Area / No. Cases
Hertsmere / 11
Welwyn/Hatfield / 9
Watford/3 Rivers / 9
Stevenage/North / 17
E Herts / 15
St Albans / 12
Dacorum / 7

2. By Age of Carer

Age / Number (total 102)
60 – 69 / 11
70 – 79 / 54
80 – 89 / 36
90+ / 1

3. Source of Referral

Source / No. Cases
CLDT / 52
Day Services / 5
Self / 5
Carers in Herts / 3
Mencap / 4
Relative / 1
Neighbour / Friend / 4
EPD / Hospital SW / 1
GP / 1
Other Professional / 2
Unknown / 2

4.Enquiry Line

We have been contacted via our enquiry line on few occasions during the year. The line is sometimes contacted by carers on our current caseload and ACS or partner services. Recorded activity is as follows:

  • A carer from Luton phoned after reading a newspaper article about the service. He was signposted to his own authority. (All local newspapers across Hertfordshire were supplied with our press release and invited to feature the OFCW service.
  • The carer of an older person contacted us, after reading about the service in CareWaves. She was referred to EPD.
  • An anonymous caller talked at some length about her son who has longstanding mental health problems. He is receiving the support of a number of services and the carer is in touch with Carers in Herts.
  • A carer from the Dacorum area called, having been given our leaflet at church. Her enquiry was followed up by the team.
  • Worcestershire County Council made contact to learn more about our service, in preparation for setting up their own.

5.Publicity & Service Development

  • Display board prepared for publicity/information use at events.
  • Liaison with NorthHertsCollege.
  • Talks at churches and synagogues.
  • Talks to EPD teams of Hertsmere, St Albans, Dacorum, Watford and 3 Rivers.
  • Attendance at Hertsmere and Watford/3Rivers Carers in Herts carers network.
  • Repeat circulation to Dacorum and St Albans GP surgeries.
  • Article in Harpenden & St Albans Mencap newsletter.
  • Meeting with Dacorum Mencap representative.
  • Talk given to Welwyn/Hatfield CAB advisers.
  • Attendance at National Carers Strategy national event.
  • Discussion with McMillan nurse, Isobel Hospice. Leaflets and posters provided.
  • Attendance at SE Herts Carers Health Forum.
  • Attendance at Autism and Aspergers stakeholders’ day.
  • Attendance at Valuing People Regional Carers Forum. Provided information on OFCS to forum.
  • Meeting with Age Concern, E.Herts, Welwyn/Hatfield to publicise work of the OFCS.
  • Meeting with older carers workers, Mencap, in Essex.
  • Attended ‘Listening to Carers’ event.
  • Visit to new respite care unit for Welwyn/Hatfield.
  • Meeting with Respond worker to share experiences of running enquiry line.
  • Planning for Carers Week event.
  • Shared service information with Worcestershire andBristol authorities.
  • Attending Carers in Herts forum.
  • Ongoing participation in ACS Carers Leads meetings and responsibilities.

Claire Carter

July 2009

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