Review of Resource Allocation System (RAS) arrangements for Adult Carer Support Plans
| Title | Review of Resource Allocation System (RAS) arrangements for Adult Carer Support Plans |
|---|---|
| Council Resource | Social Work |
| Service Area | Performance and Support Services |
| Aims and Objectives | The current calculation of Carers Budgets has been in place since 2016. This practice was introduced as an interim measure by the then HQ PRAG, pending a more robust and fair process. The process has not been reviewed to date nor has an Adult Carers Support Plan (ACSP) been introduced, which is a duty under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016. The Adult Care Support Plan is the start of a conversation with the carer to look at the impact of caring on their own health and wellbeing and assist them to continue to care. The demand for support to carers continues to grow but the current historical process does not offer a consistent and equitable means to calculate an appropriate resource allocation. We must review our practice in order to provide a more equitable system of resource allocation in relation to identified needs and risks for eligible adult unpaid carers. The current eligibility framework supports assessed needs deemed substantial and critical. Low and moderate needs are supported via signposting and other commissioned services. Budget calculations will be reviewed and take into account the frequency of unpaid care provided in order to arrive at a more equitable allocation of finite resources that will meet carers identified needs and outcomes. There have been regular meetings with locality staff, we have aligned carers support workers to each of our locality teams. We communicate with carers via the assessment and care management process and also link with Carers Connected , an engagement and consultation group within Lanarkshire Carers. Close working with finance colleagues and IT developers will assist us get the process right. Some focus groups have come together to explore the new model. Meetings have also included our commissioned services management teams All will benefit from a more equitable approach to supporting adult unpaid carers. |
| Conclusion | Each carers journey is unique, influenced by the same factors that impact on the supported person, but from the carer perspective. Symptoms: supporting the supported person to manage or live with their symptoms, such as confusion or frailty. Treatment: balancing work, family life to support the person attend appointments, picking up prescriptions, administering and monitoring medication and use or providing physiotherapy. Impact of the condition: how much support the person needs, and personal care, moving with assistance, emotional and physical impact, social impact, welfare and financial guardianship, Through the day, through the night or both. Personal circumstance: carer's age, sole carer or family support/history, balancing work, family life and caring, caring can have a significant impact on a carers health needs and financial situation. There are real challenges in completing support plans that balances the needs of both supported person and carer. As we work to build equity into the support planning arrangements for adult unpaid carers, we will expect to experience some levels of dissatisfaction that may result in complaints, Cllr enquiry etc. There may be bespoke arrangements due to unique service arrangements that will be (low numbers). Benchmarking budgets have been established. There is a maximum amount within these thresholds, some budgets are currently in excess of this benchmark. There will still be an option for an enhanced budget where the form of replacement care is a highly specialised resource that warrants specific consideration in respect of the funding to be allocated. These will require to be monitored. Reviews are key to the oversight of the move from previous arrangements to the new model ACSP. Clear actions have been added to this EQIA in order that we track the impact of the changes. We will look at complaints and long term conditions, finance and support arrangements monitoring, a small team established to focus on Direct Payments monitoring. The Carer (Scotland) Act Section 24 introduced a duty and power to provide support: The duty and power to provide support to carers applies where a carer has eligible needs. A carer's eligible needs are those identified needs for support "THAT CANNOT BE MET THROUGH SUPPORT TO THE CARED FOR PERSON OR THROUGH ACCESSING SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE GENERALLY". Section 25 of the Act introduces a duty to consider whether support to carers should take the form of or include a break from caring. The term "respite" is used to describe a break from caring. In general "respite" is more often associated with institutional services or emergency situations. The term "SHORT BREAKS" is considered a more positive term and more in line the the flexibility and creativity. Any monitoring arrangements will need to capture our delivery of the duties we are required to undertake as part of the Carers Act. Every carers journey is unique and determined by the same key factors; Symptoms, Treatment, Impact of condition, personal circumstances. This policy will bring equity into the allocation of finite resources to the potential unpaid caring population (2011 estimates 32,800). Social Work Resource directly support over 200 carers, Lanarkshire Carers supported 193 new carers in Quarter 3 (July/Sept 2021) and a total of 1449 carers supported and engaged with the services. Both SWR and LC add up to approximately 5% of the potential caring population. All of the unpaid carer population can access information and advice. Not all of the unpaid caring population will have eligible needs, we need to ensure that those unpaid carers with eligible needs are supported at the right time with the right services. |
| Contact Email address | equalities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk |
| Area | Council Wide |