Vale - Support for Carers
The Vale of Glamorgan Council fully acknowledges the level of support and care provided by ‘informal’ carers within the community and is committed to providing services for carers to enable them to continue to support individuals. Within the Vale of Glamorgan a partnership between statutory agencies, voluntary sector agencies and carers is essential for the effective implementation of the Vale of Glamorgan Carers Strategy, which
was agreed in 2008. The aim of the Strategy is to make the best use of available resources by working in a co-ordinated way.
Carers Health and Wellbeing
The Vale of Glamorgan has established a multiagency Carers group, to progress action on the Vale of Glamorgan Carers’ Strategy. This group has been instrumental in:
- progressing the development of information for carers via web information and a Carers Information Pack.
- reviewing the specialist Carers’ Assessment documents and processes that is used as part of the Unified Assessment process.
- consulting with carers in the employment of the Vale of Glamorgan Council to identify recommendations for changes in existing policy to assist working carers
- establishing an information scheme to assist carers in primary care settings.
Carers Forum
The Vale of Glamorgan established its carers forum in April 2008, to give carers in the area a voice in relation to local issues affecting them. The forum also gives carers the chance to meet others, share information and gain information from the local authority.
Carers Support Information and Networking Group
As a sub group to the Carers Group, the Carers Support, Information and Networking group exists to enable joint working and the sharing of information between people whose role involves them working with and/or supporting carers.
Membership is open to those working within the Health and Social Care sector, whether statutory or third sector. The achievements of this group to date included the successful annual Carers Day event, traditionally held at Duffryn Gardens in June each year, and the celebration of Carers Rights Day in December.
Services for Carers in the Vale
The former Welsh Assembly Government Carers Grant Scheme has stimulated diversity and flexibility of services to carers. Within the Vale of Glamorgan Council it has enabled social services to build on the support it already provided to carers through its established services. Services have developed to meet both the identified needs of carers and to improve the element of choice available to existing and potential service users.
Services to client groups are available to:
Young Carers
Physically Disabled Children
People with a Learning Disability
Adults with Mental Ill Health
Older People with Mental Ill Health and
Older People.
In addition to the above, there are several other support services available to all carers. These are provided by various organisations and include the provision of information, advice, advocacy and training to carers and a handyperson to undertake small household repairs for carers. The voluntary sector provides many of these services.
A new service will provide carers with the opportunity to register a contingency plan with the local authority. Working in partnership, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan will be able to record details of arrangements that can be put in place in an emergency to provide essential care to someone when their carer is prevented from providing support.
For further information on services for carers in the Vale of Glamorgan contact:
Carers Development Officer
Social Services Directorate
Subway Road
Barry CF63 4RT
Tel: 01446 704604
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/en/living/social_care/adult.../Carers/
or contact :
Contact OneVale (C1V)
Tel: 01446 700111
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Text: text C1V then your message to 60066
Write to:
Vale of Glamorgan Council
Civic Offices
Holton Road
Barry CF63 4RU
Web: www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
Carers Emergency Card and Contingency Plan Scheme
The Carer’s Emergency Card scheme provides peace of mind by ensuring that social services have nominated people to contact in an emergency. It is a credit card sized card that is carried by a Carer at all times. In case of an accident, sudden illness or any other reason the Carer is unable to return home, the cared-for person would be at risk of serious harm if left alone. By making a brief call to Social Services, help can be arranged for the person who is
looked after.
To be eligible for the scheme you must:
- Be a carer living in Cardiff/ Vale of Glamorgan, or looking after someone living in Cardiff/Vale of Glamorgan.
- Be 18 or over looking after someone aged 18 or over.
- Complete a Carers Assessment with Adult Services.
For further information contact:
Carers Development Officer
Dock Offices
Subway Road
Barry
Vale of Glamorgan
CF63 4RT
Tel: 01446 704604
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Health Board Third Sector Member and Carers’ Champion
Margaret McLaughlin is the Independent Member (Third Sector) of the Cardiff and Vale Health Board and Health Board Carers’ Champion and can be contacted at:
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