One Halton partners have set out a three-year plan – a commitment to carers – detailing how they will improve the support available by making services more joined up.
The new ‘All Age Carers Strategy’, aims to take a more joined-up approach to supporting carers, looking at what works and what requires improvement.
The Strategy, which you can find at https://halton.me/carers-strategy/ has been developed following consultation with carers of all ages in Halton.
This included a Carers’ Consultation Event which took place at Halton Stadium last year. Every known carer in Halton was invited with more than 80 people coming along to share their views.
The result of the consultation found that while most carers had a good experience and got the help and support they needed, they felt this support would be improved if different services and organisations could work better together. This new strategy aims to address this.
Halton Borough Council led on the development of the strategy for One Halton. Council Leader, Rob Polhill, said: “The enormous contribution of our carers not only makes an invaluable difference to the people they support, but is an integral part of our health and social care system.
Taking a One Halton approach will bring together service providers in Halton to ensure the right support is in place when it is needed, meaning carers can focus on their vital role of caring for vulnerable children and adults.”
Alongside the Strategy sits a Delivery Plan that has been developed in conjunction with children and adult carers, along with the key providers of services within Halton.
Together, the Strategy and Delivery Plan set out the current position in Halton, highlighting services offered where carers say things are working well, like Life Line; Day Care Services; Voluntary Services and Adult Placement – as well as those that could benefit from a more joined up, holistic approach.
These will form the areas for improvement to be focused on through the delivery plan over the next three years. These include
• Identification and recognition of carers;
• Involving and listening to carers;
• Young carers;
• Transition to adulthood;
• Employment and skills;
• Older carers;
• Carers of people with dementia;
• Health and wellbeing of carers;
• When the caring role ends.
The strategy also shares individual carer stories to highlight the issues being faced and the support available.
One Halton is not one organisation – it is a partnership between the Council, NHS Organisations, GP Practices, Fire, Police and Voluntary Organisations.
Under the banner of One Halton, these organisations have made a commitment to work together to achieve one goal – a community living healthier, happier and longer lives, regardless of who they are, or where they might live.
