Carers UK welcomes personalised care

The announcement comes with the launch of Putting People First, a protocol agreed between the National Health Service, Association of Directors of Social Services and the Local Government Association which sets out an agreed approach to the provision of health and social care services into the future.

The new system will be based on the creation of personal budgets and the increasing use of direct payments which will allow service users and carers to have a large measure of control over how their services are provided.

Carers are to be treated as “experts and care partners” except where their views are opposed to those of the service user.

The protocol also sets out an approach based on:

• locally agreed partnerships between local authorities, the NHS and others in developing “Sustainable Community Strategies”;
• preventative public health policies and early intervention;
• support for innovation including use of the voluntary sector and social enterprise;
• universally available advice and information;
• improved assessment with social workers focussing more on support, brokerage and advocacy;
• person centred planning and self directed support with tele-care to be an integral part of provision;
• support for local user and carer led organisations and networks;
• better integration with the work of children’s services and inclusion of parent carers in transition planning;
• systems to minimise risks of abuse and promote dignity in care; and
• strategies to develop the skills and career development in the social care workforce.

Imelda Redmond, Chief executive of Carers UK, welcomed the announcement. “We have long called for carers to be genuine “partners in care” and to have, along with those for whom they care, real control over the sort of services they receive. These measures, through the provision of flexible and responsive services, will help carers to have a life outside their caring role including being able to remain in work and avoid the isolation, poverty and ill health that often follows becoming a carer. Provided there is adequate support for service users and their carers, this approach will transform lives.”