Renewing the York Carers Strategy

The Carers Strategy Group meeting discussed what the priorities should be in York for our work from 2008 - 2011. The group decided that there are core areas of work that underpin everything else. These include:

• Improving the way we provide accurate and accessible information for carers;
• Carers involvement and training for carers;
• Culture change in the professional world.

Some specific areas of work were deemed a priority including:

• Setting up a Young Carers Forum;
• Prioritising supporting carers in employment;
• Ensuring welfare benefits advice is available.

Next steps in the process are to agree specific priorities, write action plans, and appoint task group leaders to ensure the action plans are carried out.

National Strategy Events

A regional event to discuss the commitments outlined in the National Strategy was held on 17th September in York and attended by a number of local people.

Carers Emergency Card

York Carers Centre oversees this scheme, with the 24 hour call out service being provided by York Warden Call. Currently 81 carers have registered and have a Carers Emergency Card. York Carers Centre has contacted over 600 carers to inform them about the scheme. The recruitment of a temporary Promotional Worker is underway, and plans to extend the scheme to parent carers and young carers are under discussion.
Contact: Carers Emergency Card Office on 01904 656985.

Carers Support Workers

The appointment of three permanent Carers Support Workers within the three CYC Locality Teams has now been successfully concluded. Two part-time workers are based at St. Anthony's House, and a full-time worker at George Hudson Street. These workers will undertake Carers Assessments of Need and ensure carers receive information, advice and support that is available in York. A specialist part-time Care Manager for carers has been working in the Learning Disability Team since December 2007, concentrating on work with older carers of people with learning disabilities. There are also two Carers Support Workers in the Mental Health Teams who work with carers of people with enduring mental health problems.
Contact CYC's Advice and Information Team on 01904 554141 to request a Carers Assessment

Commission for Social Care Inspection's Annual Review Meeting

Two carers presented information to CYC's  Annual Review Meeting with the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) in July. This direct discussion with carers was very well received and much appreciated by all concerned.

York Carers Centre

The process to enable York Carers Centre to become an independent organisation continues, with York CVS taking the lead. A number of individuals have attended meetings for those interested in becoming Trustees of the new York Carers Centre. The plan is for an independent organisation to be set up from April 2009. The staff team at the Centre have settled into their new premises at Priory Street and continue to offer services and support to carers whilst these changes take place.
The Carers Centre provides an information, advice and support service for carers in York, including a special service for young carers aged 8 - 18 years and young adult carers aged 18 - 25 years.
Contact York Carers Centre, 17 Priory Street, York YO1 6ET on 01904 715490

York Carers Forum

The newly constituted York Carers Forum held a very successful launch at the Guildhall on 4th September, which was opened by the Lord Mayer, and was also attended by Hugh Bayley, MP. The York Carers Forum AGM will be held on 27th October 1.00-3.00pm at City Mills, Skeldergate, York. All are welcome to attend to support the Forum.
York Carers Forum is a carer led group for all carers in York.
Please contact Katie Smith on 01904 422437
Email: yorkcarersforum@tiscali.co.uk

For further information please contact:
Frances Perry, Carers Strategy Manager on 01904 554188
e-mail: frances.perry@york.gov.uk