Information & Advice

Telephone Support

We offer telephone support to all Carers who are referred to the service.  Many Carers benefit from just off loading how they are feeling.  We would also call out to see the carer again if they requested.

Advocacy

Carers sometimes request support at informal meetings regarding the care for the person they are caring for.  It may be that they just want someone to give them the confidence to ask questions or to help them put their point of view across to the professional.

Representational Advocacy

Advocacy is about enabling people to either ‘speak up’ for themselves and/or having someone else to speak on their behalf. Adult service users and their carers can benefit from the services of an independent ‘Representational Advocacy Worker’. The Citizens Advice Bureau runs a free and confidential scheme independent of the Social Care & Health Department. You can contact them direct, via Social Care & Health or your local Carers Centre. You can contact the Representational Advocacy Scheme on Telephone No: 0191 383 0568.

Information & Advice

Following a home visit with the carer or a specific request from a carer, the support worker will gather together all the relevant information that will benefit the carer.  Ongoing information and advice is also offered so please feel free to call us with anything you would like us to obtain information about to assist you in your caring role.

Assistance in gaining services

By giving the carer appropriate information about services that are available, they are then in a position to make an informed choice about the help that they need.  We have a close working relationship with Social Care & Health and now conduct an initial Carers Assessment of Carers Needs, if requested.  This information is then passed directly to the Social Care & Health Carers Assessment worker who will follow up our referral and if possible act on the needs, which we have identified.  With the carers permission we also will contact the Care Manager who is in contact with the person being cared for to inform them of any needs that they may be able to address e.g.. increasing the respite care provision.  We also will approach relevant health professionals if appropriate to ensure that the carers needs are being addressed.