Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

ADULT SOCIAL CARE

PART II

GRANT PROGRAMME FOR CARERS 2008/09

1. The new Hampshire Carers' Strategy was launched at the end of 2008 following successful partnership working with the local community. This Strategy establishes the local strategic response to carers' support and priorities for the next two years. It also outlines intentions for developments in local services.

2. 2008 also saw the publication of a new National Carers' Strategy which outlined the national government approach and priorities for the next 10 years. Both strategies acknowledge the importance of carers in our communities and establish that carers require a range of quality support services and interventions that offer support both within, and outside of, caring roles.

3. Part way through the year, additional resource was made available through the new National Carers' Strategy, via the Carers' Grant, to support the following strategic priorities:

· `the doubling of respite provision' over the next 10 years;

· involving carers in service development; and

· increasing self-directed support options.

4. Overall, the 2008/9 allocation was an additional 24%, i.e. £625,700 and at her meeting on 20 February 2009, the Executive member approved specific grants totalling £235,396, with the remainder being allocated to a range of small grants.

5. The rationale for grant-making was based on matching local providers with identified priority issues for local carers, those people caring for someone at the end of life (hospices) , those caring for older people with mental health needs (Alzheimer Society and Cafés) and those who could promote the involvement of carers on a Hampshire wide basis (e.g. Carers Together in Hampshire for carers of older people and people with physical disabilities and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers for carers of people with mental health needs).

6. The grants made support the development of respite opportunities for carers in all care groups and in a number of caring situations and roles. This supports the policy aims of the new National and Hampshire Carers' Strategies and supports joined-up approaches with other strategic work. It links with the Older Persons' Mental Health, Care at the End of Life and Hampshire Sustainable Community Strategies.

7. The report considered by the Executive Member also recommended that £75,000 is allocated from carers' resources in 2009/10 for the provision of a small grants programme for carers' support. This small grants programme will focus on supporting innovative third sector breaks for carers and building diversity in the local market. These small grants (less than £5,000 each) will be managed locally to develop markets for carers' self-directed support.

8. The long-term aim is to co-ordinate Adult Services' grant programme with Hampshire PCT. The additional carers' money in 2008/9 (albeit received towards the end of the financial year) represented an early opportunity to deliver improved outcomes for carers in advance of establishing joint arrangements.

9. The decisions made by the Executive member on 20 February 2009:

· support Adult Services' performance and ease of measurement;

· limit bureaucracy/administration costs;

· support the Carers' Strategy implementation (national and local);

· increase access for carers;

· support the self-directed model; and

· deliver economies of scale, balanced with local discretion to provide appropriate services in each area, while also supporting diversity.

10. The report which the Executive Member considered can be accessed at /decisions/decisions-index/index-docs-7008

FELICITY HINDSON, MBE

Executive Member for Adult Social Care