Local authorities

This report shows the that majority of unpaid carers are unable to take sufficient breaks and also highlights an unfair and unequal provision of carers’ breaks services across England. The report is based on the results of a survey of over 1,000 carers in the UK and a freedom of information request to local authorities and clinical commissioning groups across England. Only 8 per cent of carers responding to the survey felt they had been able to take sufficient breaks.

This case study gives an example of a well-established direct payments service, managed by Hampshire County Council in partnership with users of direct payments, carers and voluntary sector support agencies.

This is the report of a study undertaken by the University of Leeds and commissioned by the Department of Health that aimed to get a better understanding of how local authorities in England spent their Carers' Grant allocations between 2005 and 2007 and how it enabled them to improve support for carers in their area. First introduced in April 1999, the Carers' Grant is provided to all councils with responsibility for social services in recognition of the support carers need for breaks and other services. [DH website abstract]

A short guide providing the key points for practitioners to consider when recommending a supported self-assessment for an adult requiring care, or for their carers with support needs under the Care Act 2014. It looks at delivering a supported self-assessment and at how local authorities can ensure that the supported self-assessment is an accurate and complete reflection of an individuals needs and outcomes. It then covers what needs to be done after the supported self-assessment and assurance process has been completed.

Explains how, in their desire to protect employees from the hazardous lifting of service users, local authorities are running the risk of negligence claims from carers.

Three expert commentaries have been written about the approaches to health and social care integration in Sandwell, Hertfordshire and Barking & Dagenham which were described in the last issue of this journal. They cover organisational, user/carer and international perspectives

This article highlights five ways that councils can better support carers. It draws on good practice from Sunderland City Council, Rochdale MBC, Hertfordshire CC and Sefton MBC, the four councils who were awarded beacon status last year for the way they supported carers.

This small-scale survey explored how effectively young carers were identified by councils and their partners. It also examined the assessment and delivery of services for young carers and their families. It drew on evidence from visits to eight council areas, focus groups with young carers and meetings with those who provide young carer support services