‘A new deal for Carers’

Merton Carers Partnership

Summary of Carers Services Report

Introduction

This summary contains information from a fuller more in depth report prepared by the Merton Carers Partnership (MCP) as a prelude to the development of a five-year carers strategy for the London Borough of Merton.

MCP is a partnership of carers’ organisations within the London Borough of Merton, which aims to develop services that carers have identified as essential in supporting them to continue with their caring responsibilities. The Partnership is made up of key representatives from the London Borough of Merton, Sutton and Merton PCT, South West London and St Georges Mental Health Trust, Carers Support Merton, Age Concern Merton, Imagine, Merton Mencap, Merton Mind, Merton & Sutton Crossroads and Rethink.

In October 2007 MCP sent out approximately 3000 surveys to known carers in the London Borough of Merton. Information in this summary sets out the main findings from the survey and the subsequent carers conference that was held by MCP in November 2007.

446 carers responded to the survey – providing a 16% response-rate.

For the purpose of the survey those who are being cared for have been divided into Older People (over 65 yrs), Adults (18-65 yrs) and Children (0–18 yrs). Respondents who have identified themselves as carers are divided into relationship groups: Husband; Wife; Partner; Daughter; Son; Brother; Sister; Son/Daughter in Law; Parent; Friend; and Neighbour. A young carers strategy is being developed separately and therefore their needs are not specifically highlighted within either the full report or this summary.

Carers Needs Survey, October 2007.

2,896 surveys were sent out to Carers known to the London Borough of Merton and voluntary agencies in Merton in October 2007. 446 (16%) were returned. For the purposes of the survey those cared for are divided into: Older People, aged over 65; Adults, 18–65; and Children, 0–18 and the respondents who identify as carers are divided into relationship groups: Husband; Wife; Partner; Daughter; Son; Brother; Sister; Son/Daughter in Law; Parent; Friend; and Neighbour. A full breakdown of overall statistics collected from respondents can be found in appendix 1.

Young Carers were not specifically identified in this survey. Because of their particular needs a separate strategy for young carers is currently being developed.

Caring for older people

46% of respondents care for older people over 65 years.

  • Respondents are: wives, 32%; husbands, 24%; daughters, 23%; and sons, 9%.
  • 91% of respondents are over 50 years old, and 60% are over 65 years.
  • Of those older people cared for the main reasons for care are:
  • 28% have physical disabilities
  • 27% have long term medical issues
  • 21% have dementia or Alzheimers
  • 11% have a sensory disability

Many of them have more than one reason for needing care.

Caring for adults

40% of respondents care for adults between 18 and 65 years.

  • Most respondents are parents, 60%.
  • 75% of respondents are over 50 years, 38% are over 65 years and 6% under 25 years.
  • Of those adults cared for the main reasons for care are:
  • 27% have a learning disability
  • 22% have long term medical issues
  • 21% have a mental health illness
  • 18% have a physical disability

Many of them have more than one reason for needing care.

Caring for children

14% of respondents care for children from 0–18 years.

  • Most respondents are parents, 92%.
  • 26% of respondents are over 50 years and 23% are under 25 years
  • Of the children cared for the main reasons for care are:
  • 44% have a learning disability
  • 18% long term medical issues
  • 12% a physical disability
  • 10% a mental health illness.

Many of them have more than one reason for needing care.

Ethnicity of carers
  • 69% of responses are from the white British community.
  • 31% of responses are from the Black, Asian and minority Ethnic groups (BAME).
Services carers already receive
  • 61% of respondents receive some form of break during the week – though this can vary from 5 days to 1 hour.
  • The services that are provided are generally considered good.

Services carers want

Respite 17% of respondents referred to the need for more respite provision.

  • Those who receive services value them, particularly day centres and care provided in the home.
  • Respondents want flexibility in provision tailored to the individual needs of both the Carer and the person they care for.
  • Many respondents do not know what is available.

Information and advice 17% of respondents saythey do not know what to ask for because they do not know what is available. Services may available in the borough that they could use, but they are not aware of them.

Home care/ home help 8% or respondents want assistance in maintaining a good home environment.

Physical and emotional support 7% of respondents spoke of social isolation, loneliness and the need for support.

Financial help 4% of respondents expressed the need for this now, and for the longer term.

A key contact 2% of respondents want continuity of support and to know that someone understands his or her situation.

Help to work/ study/ train 1% of respondents want to have the same opportunities as other people.

Older carers 76% of respondents are over the age of 50. 43% are over 65 and 17% over 75. They are mainly caring for their son or daughter, and have major concerns about who will care for them when they die or are no longer able to.

Carers’ assessments and direct payments Less than a third of respondents indicated that they have received a carers’ assessment in their own right, with 63% stating that they had not and 7% not answering. 18% said they received direct payments in their own right and 46% of the respondents are caring for person who is receiving direct payments. However, less than 2% of other respondents mentioned carers assessments or direct payments. In both of these areas there are clear indications that respondents have misunderstood the questions because they have not heard of the existence of a carers assessment or direct payments or because they do not understand what they are.

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Appendix 1 - Pie Charts

Statistical break down/

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Carers Conference – 12 November 2007

Report back from workshops

Themes raised included: quality in service deliver; trust in workers and services; information through a variety of channels; standardisation of information; work with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities; some services need to be independent of social services; the need for a carers register especially in General Practitioner (GP) offices; employers need to understand; carers need training in how to care, isolation of carers and need for, various levels of support e.g. peer, group etc.

Group One - Summary

Employment
  • Flexible working practices
  • Employer provide vouchers to enable carer to work
  • Caring skills can create employment.
  • Barriers: benefit system
Respite
  • Unplanned care (non emergency)
  • Control – direct payments, individual budgets
  • Choice/flexibility
  • Specific Carer Assessment Officer’s per discipline
  • Resources – increase/respite homecare/services, Crossroads, night service and weekend care
  • Specification for respite care drawn up by carers
  • Annual reviews of Carers Act Assessment
Information and BAME
  • Plain English
  • Internet access can be difficult for some
  • Carers centre - focal point.
  • Increase BAME awareness a link or focal point/resource
  • Ensure adequate information on cared for needs understanding
  • Groups of carers sharing information
  • GPs more proactive

Group Two - Summary

Respite
  • Choice, need to know who wants what different needs for different service groups - different needs within groups
  • Minimum quality – meaningful amounts of time, assurance of quality - know about the cared for
  • Good experience for carer and cared for, need to trust the person who will be caring
  • Respite for holidays
  • Quality day centre - good staff ratio
  • Respite at home
  • Days out together
  • Emergency
  • Adult and children clubs and young people
  • Holiday provision – school holidays, play schemes
  • Services to continue over Bank Holidays
  • Transport
Information and advice
  • Variety of channels
  • Where to go – different needs at different times
  • Principal agencies, part of their responsibilities to give initial information: GPs; pharmacies; nurses; hospitals; voluntary agencies
  • Posters at: GPs, outpatients, chemist
  • All services should have contact card
  • Specialist sign posters to take person through the system (BAME)
  • Hospital discharge carers register
  • Assessment of whether carer capable on discharge
Employment
  • Smaller employers
  • Getting through to employers their responsibilities
  • Information about flexible working
  • Stigma of being a carer
  • Care to support the carer to work
  • Flexibility needs to take account of holidays
Training
  • Different needs at different times
  • Training in how to care
  • Understanding the condition and how to manage it
  • How to manage own stress
  • Support while training – flexibility
  • Former carers – confidence
Other matters
  • Isolation – anxiety
  • Financial well-being
  • Pensions
  • Confidence – peer support
  • Health problems

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