Principles for Supporting Carers
Introduction
In developing this action plan there were a number of themes that emerged from carers’ responses that did not refer to specific areas for actions. These themes have been adapted into principles which will underpin all the work to ensure that carers are valued and supported.
Principle 1: Identifying as a carer is an essential step to accessing support
People tend to see themselves as a sibling, partner, parent, child, friend rather than ‘carer’.
It can take many people from a year to over three to recognise that they are carers, which means a long time without support that you are entitled to. Alongside trying to increase awareness in the general population, it has been acknowledged that the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on many disadvantaged groups including carers from our diverse communities.
It is important that services proactively identify carers to connect them to support.
This also means working with people to understand and address barriers to identifying as a carer.
Principle 2: Caring is intrinsically connected to a relationship
On a practical level, support for carers is linked with the way that care and support needs are being met for the person/people they care for.
The two can’t be considered in isolation and decisions about the person being cared for affects their carer.
It is important that carers are involved, informed, and considered in decision-making, alongside health and care practitioners and the person themselves.
Support that focuses on prevention not only benefits the person being cared for but carers too.
Principle 3: A carer is an individual person with their own needs and context
Although caring is defined in the context of a relationship, it is not the only aspect of a person’s identity.
In the same way that care and support for individuals should reflect their preferences and values, carers need choices and support that reflect their personal identity, cultural context, beliefs, and life circumstances.
Carers provide invaluable support, yet this often limits their ability to invest in themselves. Carers have said that while caring does provide purpose, it can mean their own dreams and aspirations are on pause – indefinitely.
This may mean restrictions on exploring personal leisure, education and employment ambitions.
It is essential that the needs of carers are being listened to, prioritised, and advocated for, including the recognition of the role of carers within policy and service development.
Principle 4: Caring responsibilities require time and energy
Finding practical and emotional space amidst a caring role can be a barrier to accessing the support that carers need, for themselves and for the people they care for.
Carers have told us that it takes mental and physical fitness to do what they do, but often carers can be unwell themselves due to the impact of caring.
It is important therefore that information and processes are clear and simplified and that there is flexibility within services and other agencies.
Carers want to be involved in service development and find this most meaningful when they are able to work with tangible tasks and to see outcomes.
Principle 5: Connected services are vital to carers
Services that connect with carers’ views and feedback are better placed to understand and address challenges to accessing support.
When services work in partnership to share insights and pool resources, the more effectively outcomes for carers can be achieved across Camden.
Streamlining processes and eliminating duplication helps carers navigate available support more effectively. This also benefits services, especially given current capacity limitations.
Partnerships with community groups that carers are already connected to can help to ensure information is shared with people directly and in a way that works for them.
With services taking a neighbourhood, community approach, to collaboration and operational delivery as much as possible.