What do individuals want from residential care services?

1. What do individuals want from residential care services? Findings of the external reference group to the Inquiry into Residential Care Angela Roberts, Director of Wales, Carers Trust Graeme Francis, Head of Policy & Public Affairs, Age Cymru Penny Lloyd, Member of the External Reference Group October 2012

2. Our Brief To bring together a group of citizens in Wales who have experienced the residential care journey. To include: • Individuals – or family members – considering the possibility of entering residential care • Family of those in residential care • Those caring in a voluntary or professional capacity • Carers Trust and Age Cymru agreed to work in partnership to enable the widest reach.

3. The Reference Group • 9 members • Members recruited for their personal experiences of residential care • All had experience of residential care through their families • Brought knowledge, commitment and passion to the process • We also supported the Committee to visit residential homes and to get direct views from residents & staff

4. The process • 6 meetings (March – August 2012) • Facilitated by Age Cymru and Carers Trust. Supported by Committee Chair, clerks and research service • Introductory meeting • Meetings shadowed main Inquiry process • Commented on evidence Committee received • Proposed questions & areas to investigate • Developed own conclusions & advised on Committee’s recommendations

5. Key statement • Belief that the current residential care system is not fit for purpose. • Develop system based on early intervention which places the individual, their family and carers at the centre. • Everybody has the right to access quality care which guarantees dignity. • Crucial to rebalance power towards the individual - away from services and structures.

6. Reference Group’s key issues • A system built around the needs of the individual • Information, support and guidance • Staffing • Inspection and regulation • Funding • Design of care services • Support for – and recognition of – carers

7. 1) A system built around the needs of the individual • Early assessment and planning for future needs • Everybody should be entitled to home care if appropriate • Integrated services – not battles over responsibility • On-going assessment & a continuum of care – limiting moves between settings • Proper consideration of the need for social interaction & activities • Sufficient time for staff to spend with patients

8. 2) Information, support and guidance • Information on a range of services and options • Available at an early stage • Easily accessible • Equally important for people who self-fund their care

9. 3) Staffing • Address poor public perception of residential homes and care work • Greater recognition of the work done by care staff • Increased training and development opportunities • Tackle tendency for health & care professionals to be risk averse

10. 4) Inspection and regulation • Should always be done for benefit of those receiving care • Lay inspectors, with previous experiences, should be involved in process • Reports must include the information required by individuals, families and carers to enable informed decisions

11. 5) Funding • There must be sufficient funding for care services, whether delivered at home or in residential care • Action to address allocation of continuing healthcare – everyone entitled should receive it, including those with mental and cognitive conditions • More funding to the development of social enterprise models of care provision

12. 6) Design of care services • More thought and imagination should be given to developing services for the future • Consideration of the needs of future generations • Greater support for the not-for-profit sector • Better designed services – and more joint working – will prove to be cost effective

13. 7) Support for carers • Greater recognition of the vital role of carers at the forefront of providing care • Carers should be enabled to act as advocates for, and sources of advice about, those for whom they care • Have a vital role to play in the assessment of needs • More consideration of carers by those designing and delivering public services

14. Good practice • Also important examples of good practice in the group: • Professionals acting in a supportive manner • Provided with information and given time to visit residential homes and ask questions • Good quality care in homes • Committed staff and volunteers, who see residents as individuals and provided varied and stimulating activities

15. Thank you Angela Roberts 029 2009 0087 aroberts@carers.org Graeme Francis 029 2043 1555 Graeme.francis@agecymru.org.uk