Agenda item

The Board had before it a report by Alison MacLeod (Lead Strategy and Performance Manager, ACHSCP) which sought approval of the Carers Strategy and provided an overview of next steps in relation to implementation, subject to approval.

The report recommended:-

That the Board –

(a)                  Approve the final draft of the Aberdeen City Carers Strategy;

(b)          Approve the next steps in relation to the launch and implementation of the Aberdeen City Carers Strategy;

(c)          Instruct the Chief Officer to bring back further detail of the funding prioritisation and allocation process to the May meeting of the IJB;

(d)          Instruct the Chief Officer to submit the finalised Eligibility Criteria for Carers to the May meeting of the IJB; and

(e)          Instruct the Chief Officer to submit the Aberdeen City Short Breaks Services Statement to the IJB meeting in October 2018.

Alison MacLeod provided an overview of the consultation process and advised that all feedback had been acknowledged and taken into consideration during preparation of the final Strategy, including additional consultation with individuals and groups representing children and young carers. Ms MacLeod highlighted that an At a Glance summary of the Strategy had been prepared along with an action plan that would be overseen by the Carers Strategy Implementation Group. She also confirmed that the children and young carers element would be presented to Aberdeen City Council’s Operational Delivery Committee on 29 May 2018, and pending approval it was the Partnership’s intention to launch the Carers Strategy during Carers Week which would run between 11- 17 June 2018.

Thereafter there were questions and comments on (1) the importance of developing a policy to determine which charges could be waived for respite care; (2) the response rate from carers and carers groups during the consultation process; (3) how the Partnership would liaise with Aberdeen City Council in relation to the children and young carers element within the Strategy; (4) the level of unmet need amongst young carers throughout the city and the stigma that may be felt by having social care involvement in family life; (5) the level of respite care being met through Self Directed Support; and (6) the importance of integrating the needs of carers into the commissioning framework in order to provide support and meet outcomes.

The Board resolved:-

(i)            to approve the final draft of the Aberdeen City Carers Strategy;

(ii)          to approve the next steps in relation to the launch and implementation of the Aberdeen City Carers Strategy;

(iii)         to instruct the Chief Officer to bring back further detail of the funding prioritisation and allocation process to the May meeting of the IJB;

(iv)         to instruct the Chief Officer to submit the finalised Eligibility Criteria for Carers to the May meeting of the IJB;

(v)          to instruct the Chief Officer to submit the Aberdeen City Short Breaks Services Statement to the IJB meeting in October 2018;

(vi)         to request the Chief Officer to develop local guidelines with regards to waiving charges for respite care in order for carers to meet personal outcomes under the legislation; and

(vii)        to thank Alison Macleod for a well presented report and Carers Strategy.