Health & Social Care Partnership Carer Update

Integration of health and social care is the Scottish Government’s programme of reform to improve services for people who use adult health and social care services. It ensures that health and social care provisions across Scotland are joined-up and seamless, especially for people with longer-term and often complex needs, many of whom are older or disabled

This partnership aims to make it easier and quicker for you to access the services and support you require and help people live safely and independently in their own homes for as long as possible. At our recent Carers' Voice meetings, we've been joined by Hazel Chalk and Jennifer Kennedy from the Health & Social Care Partnership. They will continue to join our Stirling Carers' Voice meetings, so we're sharing a bit more about who they are and what their roles are. They welcome the chance to chat with you to hear how things can be improved for Carers locally and to get feedback on proposed developments.

Jennifer Kennedy Carers Lead Officer

Jennifer has been with the Partnership for 5 months. She has 18 years’ experience within Social Work Services, and 10 of those implementing Self-Directed Support within another area, so she recognises the challenges ahead.

Jennifer’s role is to lead on strategic and statutory outcomes linked to Carers policy, specifically the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016. Key responsibilities to the role are driving a culture change, delivering training, and building a collaborative approach, establishing strong relationships with Carers, their representatives, stakeholders, and wider partners.

Since coming into post, Jennifer has already progressed a Carers eligibility criteria, which is currently in a consultation process with Carers (see page 9), as well as making system changes jointly with key partners. Although Jennifer recognises the challenges ahead, she is confident that better outcomes for Carers can be achieved by working together with Carers as equal partners.

Hazel Chalk Short Breaks Co-ordinator

Hazel has been with the Partnership for 6 months. She has 23 years’ experience within Care at Home and Home Care with Stirling Council and the Health and Social Care Partnership.

Hazel’s role is to support Carers by working with a range of partners, including the private, voluntary, and independent sectors, to develop person-centred short

breaks that promote health and well-being for both the Carer and supported person, and enable Carers to have a life out with or alongside their caring role.

Hazel acknowledges that there will be future challenges within her role but hopes to continue developing and promoting the existing good practice, shared resources and joint working with partners to meet Carers' individual goals, offering choice and flexibility, which are central to person-centred short breaks.

Hazel has been developing an 'Older Carers Information Pack', aimed at Carers aged 65+. The pack details local support, free groups and activities, information on key topics, and useful contacts. It will be made available through support organisations, including Stirling Carers Centre, and also to Carers identified in health and social care settings. There are plans to develop packs aimed at other groups of Carers, such as Parent Carers, in future.

For more info, see www.clacksandstirlinghscp.org