arers Voice - Enfield Carers Centre · Enfield Carers Centre is ... be working in partnership with...

Charity Reg. No: 1140089 www.enfieldcarers.org

If you look after a

relative, friend or

partner who is frail;

elderly; has a mental

illness; a disability; long

-term or life-limiting

illness or if they have a

substance misuse

condition, then you are

a Carer.

Enfield Carers Centre is

here to support you in

your caring role.

We offer a wide range of

services including: free

training and

information, advocacy,

respite activities and

counselling as well as

many others. Give us a

call or pop into the

Centre and we will be

happy to help.

Inside this issue: Volunteer

Opportunities

2

Carers GP Forum 2

VIP Visit 2

Care Act Pull-Out 3-5

Carers Emergency

Card Scheme

6

Carers Direct

Payment

6

What’s On 7

Young Carers / Carers

Workshops

8

Enfield Carers Centre Britannia House 137-143 Baker Street Enfield EN1 3JL

T: 0208 366 3677 E: [email protected] www.enfieldcarers.org funded by Charity Registration No: 1140089

Carers Voice Spring 2015

NEWS ABOUT HOSPITAL TRANSPORT SERVICES From 1st March 2015, ERS Medical will

be working in partnership with the Royal

Free London NHS Foundation Trust as

the new patient transport services

provider for Chase Farm & Barnet

Hospitals.

Eligibility criteria is required to access the transport and use this service. Call 0333 240 4909 for details. NOTE: Carers cannot travel with patient.

To make a booking call the ERS

Medical booking office on:

0333 240 4909

Can collect for blood test

appointments, transfers, outpatient

appointments and hospital

admissions.

Phone the above telephone no. for

further details and information if you

require transport for your relative/

partner.

Local Carer, Linda Fallon (front right above) with the help of Lesley Mitchell Fitness Club raised funds for ECC which were generously matched by Santander (Enfield branch), resulting in a total donation of £1200! Linda helped organise a fundraising dinner dance to thank the Centre for helping her when she was in the midst of a crisis with her

son Adam, who suffers from a rare disease—giant cell myocarditis (a life-threatening enlargement of the heart). Fortunately, Adam has now recovered and is doing well.

Below: A generous donation from Enfield Independent’s Gannett Foundation will help ECC’s new Young Adult Carers Project to support young people living in the borough, aged 16-25, who care for a relative.

www.enfieldcarers.org

VIP VISIT– David Burrowes

MP ECC Chair, Tim Hellings and staff welcomed David Burrowes MP to the Centre.

Having spent an “interesting” time on a stretcher in A & E recently and experiencing, first hand, the growing demands on Enfield’s hospitals, David was interested to learn about ECC’s GP & Hospital Carer Support Projects. These projects have identified over 528 new carers since starting in May & October 2013.

You are invited to join us on Tuesday 17th March 2014 From 11.00am – 1.00pm At Enfield Carers Centre

Our Primary Care Project would like to hear your feedback on the services and support that you, as carers, receive from your GP practice. We will be providing an update on healthcare services in Enfield and Dr Sarkar from Lincoln Road Practice will speak about GP services in Enfield.

Lunch will be provided. Please call to book your place.

Contact: Fiona Jones – GP Liaison Manager on:

0208 366 3677 or email:[email protected]

CARERS’ GP & HEALTH FORUM

Do you have tutoring or admin skills

that could help support our project?



What is the Care Act?

The Care Act replaces most current law about carers and people being cared for. It explains the following:

how local councils should carry out carer’s assessments and needs assessments;

how councils should decide who will be supported;

the new obligations on local authorities; and

how councils should charge for both residential care and community care.

The Care Act is mainly for adults in

need of care and support, and their

adult carers. There are some provisions

for the transition of children in need of

care and support, parent carers of

children in need of care and support,

and young carers. However the main

provisions for these groups (before

transition) are in the Children and

Families Act 2014.

THE CARE ACT 2014 PULL OUT & KEEP

Key Points for Carers

Are there any new rights for carers in the Care Act?

YES—from April 2015 all carers are

now considered to be equal with the

person you care for because you now

have also have right to an assessment

if you have needs.

This is a change from before the Act

when you had to request a carers

assessment and could only have one if

you provided “regular and substantial”

care.

Can the person I care for still

get a community care

assessment?

YES - But from April 2015 it will be

called a needs assessment not a

community care assessment.

The council will still do assessments,

but can also appoint another

organisation such as a Carers Centre

to do them on their behalf.

Most of The Care Act will come into force in April 2015, but decisions about charging and care fees will come into force in April 2016


Are the eligibility criteria

changing for community care

services?

Yes from April 2015. There’ll be new

eligibility criteria (see box on right)

which set a minimum threshold. If a

carer meets all three they will have

what’s called “eligible needs”.

After a financial assessment the

council will tell the carer or cared-for

person which needs the council will

meet and how.

Will my cared-for person’s current care plan change? As the eligibility criteria will change

from April 2015, their care plan may

change when they ask for a review or

are re–assessed.

Currently there are 4 categories:

critical, substantial, moderate and low.

Right now, the council only has to

provide for people who’s needs are

considered critical, but the new criteria

(which are not fully yet confirmed) are

viewed by experts as closely

resembling the substantial category so

this may mean many more people

qualify.

Will the person I care for be charged more for services under the Care Act?

There is nothing in the Act that says

people will be charged more for

residential or community care. The

financial assessments for both will be

very similar to the pre-April 2105

process.

The person I care for is a self-funder. Does the council have to provide anything for them? From April 2015, Self Funders can ask the council to organise services on

CARE ACT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 1. Are your needs a result of provid-

ing necessary care?

2. How much do your needs affect

your ability to achieve specific out-

comes or put your health at risk?

3. Does your caring impact on your

health or wellbeing and if so—how

much?

Page 5 www.enfieldcarers.org


their behalf, but not residential care. The advantage of this is that the council may get better rates than you can privately. The disadvantage of this could be that the council can charge a fee. Another change from April 2015 is that the council must provide self-funders

with information & advice, which they weren’t obliged to do before.

Will the cap on care costs start from April 2015? No. This will start from April 2016.

Do Self Funders need to do anything to prepare for the changes from April 2015?

No. But when Government confirms the cap, ask the council for a needs assessment or a re-assessment before April 2016, because: A) you may qualify for help for the

first time or B) You may qualify for more help

than you’re currently receiving Councils may start needs assess-ments as early as November ‘15. Will I have to pay for services provided to me as a carer?

Previously, Enfield Council has never

charged carers for services provided as a result of a carers assessment. However, in a recent re-drafting of Enfield’s charging policy, which has just been issued for consultation and comment by residents until Sunday15th March FOR THE FIRST TIME - CHARGING FOR CARERS has been included in Enfield Council’s Charging Policy! It is essential that all carers read the proposed charging policy and tell the council before Sun 15th March how they feel about being charged .

What difference will my comment make?

Last year, when Enfield Council consulted on changes to council tax discounts, it listened to comments and feedback from carers. As a result all carers in receipt of Council Tax Support became totally exempt from payment. Enfield Carers Centre strongly believes that carers are already often under immense emotional and/or financial strain because of their caring responsibilities and it is well known that carers are saving the Council and NHS thousands by providing unpaid care. Together, we may be able to remove this intention to charge carers.

It is unfair that carers should be charged for services which they need directly as a result of helping a loved one, who cannot cope without their help.

Make sure your voice is heard about the proposed charging policy changes. Contact Enfield Carers Centre 0208 366 3677 for a copy of the policy or log on to: http://www.enfield.gov.uk/info/867/current_consultations


www.enfieldcarers.org www.enfieldcarers.org

What is the Carers Emergency Card? The Card identifies you as a Carer in the event of an accident. It fits in a pocket, wallet or purse. It only has your scheme membership no. and emergency contact details. No personal information appears on the card itself and it’s free. How can the scheme help Carers? You can be offered emergency cover 24 hours a day in the event of an accident or illness while out of your home. You can be less anxious about

going out and leaving the person you care for at home. It gives you freedom from worrying. If anything happens to you, the person you care for will be contacted to check that their support needs are being met. Details of that person are held by Enfield Community Alarm, which offers a 24-hour personal emergency system to vulnerable people. How does it work? If you have an accident or suddenly fall ill while out of your

home, anyone finding the card (e.g. emergency service staff) will be able to phone the Council’s Safe & Connected Team, who will then do the following (depending on what has happened to you): Contact family members or

friends to inform them that something has happened so that they can put your emergency plan into action

Visit or phone the person you

care for to inform them

HOW TO JOIN THE SCHEME:

1. Pop into Enfield Carers Centre or call on 0208 366 3677 and we’ll help you complete the form and answer any questions you may have. You can also email us on [email protected] 2. We’ll take your photo and issue you with a card as soon as possible

ENFIELD CARERS DIRECT PAYMENTS - DO YOU QUALIFY?

The Carers Direct Payment

Scheme is aimed specifi-

cally at Carers with a low

income, who don’t have

more than 3 hours respite

from their caring responsibil-

ities and who live with the

person they care for.

The payments are not to

buy care services, petrol or

shopping, but to support you

in your caring role and buy

things that can help make

your life easier or more en-

joyable such as the occa-

sional weekend break, a short

course leisure activities, or

hair & beauty treatments. You

could also use it to pay for ed-

ucation, vocational or re-

training courses.

Direct Payments can be re-

ceived in addition to other ser-

vices available to carers and

will not affect any other bene-

ifts you receive.

All Carers can be assessed

for direct payments and if they

meet the criteria will be auto-

matically eligible.

HOW CAN I APPLY FOR THE

CARERS DIRECT PAYMENT?

1. Call Enfield Carers Centre and make an

appointment with one of our Carer

Support & Advice Officers—0208 366

3677

2. If you’re eligible you’ll need to show

proof of ID, and income and complete 2

forms giving us your bank details and

permission to pass your details to the

Council who will make the payments to

you.

www.enfieldcarers.org Page 6 www.enfieldcarers.org

WHAT’S ON? Call 0208 366 3677 to book

DATE VENUE EVENT

Every Tuesday 1.30 - 2.30pm

ENFIELD CARERS CENTRE Every Tuesday

CARERS WEEKLY MEDITATION GROUP The session gives you time and space to relax in an informal and regenerating atmosphere. Come along and give it a try.

Every Thursday 10 - 11am

ENFIELD CARERS CENTRE

CHAIR DANCE exercise sessions. Come and try out Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, Waltz, Zumba, traditional and contemporary dance all from your chair!

Mon 9th March 10am - 12.30pm


CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH COMPLEX MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS (OCD, Personality Disorder not psychosis) - A free workshop for mental health carers. Call to book

Tue 10th March 11am - 12noon


BEREAVED CARERS GROUP - WE RECOGNISE THAT LOSING A LOVED ONE CAN BE HARD TO COPE WITH. WE’LL HELP YOU ADJUST AND MEET OTHER CARERS IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES

Fri 13th March 11.30am - 2pm


MULTICULTURAL DAY & New Year Event - Come along and share something from your culture—food, clothing or literature

Tue 17th Mar 11am - 1.00pm


CARERS GP FORUM - Share your experiences of GP services. Hear from Dr Sarkar about GP services.

Tue 17th Mar 7.30 - 9.30pm

COMMUNITY HOUSE Edmonton

EVENING CARERS DROP-IN AT COMMUNITY HOUSE Social Evening – MUSICAL BINGO! Enjoy a fun night out and meet other carers.

Thur 19th Mar 10am - 12.30pm


CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA, BI-POLAR DISORDER (MANIC DEPRESSION) and other psychotic disorders- A free workshop for mental health carers. Call to book

Thur 19th Mar 2 - 4pm


DEMENTIA CARERS SUPPORT GROUP - If you’re caring for someone with Dementia, we’re here to support you. Meet other carers in similar circumstances.

Fri 20th Mar 11am - 1pm


FRIENDSHIP NETWORK & SUPPORT GROUP Meet and connect with other carers. BRING & SHARE LUNCH

Tues 24th Mar 2—3.30pm 10 min appointments


LEGAL INFORMATION DROP-IN SESSIONS with Craig Ward. Discuss carer related issues such as community care law, lasting power of attorney and deputyship. Call Centre to book.

Wed 25th Mar 2-4pm 6 - 7.30pm


CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH DEMENTIA. Learn more about the illness and how it affects sufferers. . Call to book EVENING CARERS DROP IN - THE CARE ACT & YOU

Mon 30th Mar 11am - 12.30pm


MENTAL HEALTH CARERS - Monthly Support Group. Share concerns, tips and strategies. Talk to ECC’s Advocacy Worker Danny Newland.

Jewish Care Family Carers Support understands that it maybe hard to call yourself a carer, as the help and support given may be seen as a natural part of a relationship. The Family Carers Team will sup-port and enable Jewish carers to continue this vital role. They offer emotional support, practical ad-vice and guidance, information and access to various services and advocate on the carers’ behalf to help ensure they receive any assis-tance they are entitled to. Jewish Care Direct 020 8922 2222 Based in Golders Green with some activities in Southgate

CARERS WELLBEING

WORKSHOP

Thursday 9th April 2015 11am - 12.30pm

TOPIC: SLEEP

Sleeping can often be difficult when you are caring for someone. In this session, we will discuss some simple strategies to help manage sleeping problems.

Call 0208 366 3677 to book your space

CARERS EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOP FRIDAY 17th April 2015

10am - 12.00pm

Thinking of re-entering the workplace or changing job? Call to book your space on our free workshop.

How to prepare for an interview How to answer common interview questions Interview tips & advice

Interview Do’s & Don’ts 0208 366 3677

arers Voice - Enfield Carers Centre · Enfield Carers Centre is ... be working in partnership with...

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