Social care provision

Carers with learning disabilities are a hidden group within the population, and remain a largely neglected group. The article describes a campaign called ‘Who Cares for Us?' which is working with government and social services to make sure carers with learning disabilities are included in the new carers strategies. The Valuing People Now formed a National Network for Carers with Learning Disabilities, building on the work of 'Who Cares for Us'.

This article describes and analyses public support for Swedish unpaid carers, now mandated by law, and also the support that they desire, using surveys conducted in 2008, 2009, and later. Few carers helping someone in a different household – the large majority of the carers – received any support aimed directly at them, such as access to support groups, training, relief service, or financial support. Yet, most carers did not desire any support for themselves. They mostly wanted public services for the cared-for person, all of which may also indirectly support carers.

This briefing provides an overview of the research literature on the barriers currently facing black and minority ethnic (BME) people in accessing dementia care services. It also looks at some of the ways in which services can become better at responding to the needs of (BME) people in their local area. The briefing begins by outlining the main issues and why it is important to address existing barriers.

Mike Howorth, Cathy Riley, Gillian Drummond and John Keady introduce a pioneering scheme in which the NHS employs a person with dementia to lead a support and consultative network for people with dementia and carers.

A study looking at telecare from a carers' viewpoint is briefly reviewed in this article. The study drew on the experiences of carers through interviews and focus groups. It identified that some stakeholders, notably healthcare professionals, lacked awareness of the value and availability of telecare and that this often resulted in limited referrals and a limited range of telecare equipment accessed by carers.

This paper provides an overview of the GOLD programme at the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities. It describes the work of the 13 funded projects in a context of wider research concerning ageing and learning disabilities. Particular attention is given to those people living with older family carers and those living in residential services for older people. The picture is of services that offer little confidence for the future, as people with learning disabilities grow older.

On the 1st of April 1999 Somerset Health Authority and Somerset County Council established a Joint Commissioning Board (JCB) to commission mental health services. Simultaneously, the Somerset Partnerships Health and Social Care NHS Trust was set-up as a combined health and social care services provider; for the first time in England, the majority of social services mental health staff transferred their employment to this Trust. The JCB commissioned an evaluation of the impact of these innovations on users and carers, staff and senior officers and members in the organisations concerned.

Describes a support group where family carers new to the challenges of dementia can learn more without loosing their privacy. 'One Day at a Time' is a series of monthly talks run by the Dementia Development Team within social services in Kensington and Chelsea who want to develop their understanding and knowledge of dementia, without disclosing all in an emotional support group.

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.

The video explores how service user and carer participation has become an increasingly important part of how adult social care services are developed and delivered. The video uses the example of how Manchester adult social care services are involving service users and carers. The film highlights the jigsaw model of participation, this connects four aspects of participation: Culture, Structure, Practice and Review. For further details about the jigsaw model see SCIE Guide 17. Participation operates at many different levels, from individual care packages to service design and commissioning.