The North Wales Regional Partnership Board (NWRPB) recognises the key role that Carers have in the health and social care environment and that they need to be valued for the support they provide.
The Social Services and Well Being (Wales) Act 2014 (SSWBA) legislates for enhanced rights for carers, simplifies and consolidates the law, giving Carers for the first time, equivalent rights to assessment and support as the person/s they care for.
We have developed a strategy for Carers of all ages in North Wales, which acknowledges the importance of working in partnership with carers of all ages throughout their contact with services.
The strategy describes the ‘Carers offer’and service standards
• That individual carers’ needs, including language needs are met in the best way
• That carers come to mind as soon as the person cared for
We also want to make sure that:
• We provide services that are consistent
• There is added value by working collaboratively
• Services and funding are not duplicated
• We adhere to best practice
We are committed to:
- Promoting general awareness of carers and caring to the wider population and to all relevant staff in the health and care sector
- Think carer in commissioning and assessing needs, with attention to rurality and those furthest from services for other reasons
- Involve carers of all groups & communities in decision-making and planning processes
- The early identification of carers at first contact with services
What Carers Told Us
In producing the strategy, there was a focus on looking through the eyes of carers to understand what matters to them and what will contribute to the well-being and improving their circumstances. Carers told us that:
- Good quality reliable support for the cared for is of paramount importance and contributes to their well-being as carers.
- They really value the range of support provided by third sector organisations.
- They appreciate being listened to, being recognised, respected and heard by people responsible for designing and providing services for them and the person they care for.
GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Our North Wales Carer Operational Group is chaired by an Area Director from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board; its purpose is to:
- Take forward a partnership-based approach to providing operational direction, advice, coordination of services supporting carers
- Implement and monitor the delivery of the North Wales Carers Strategy, overseeing progress and reporting on this via the agreed Welsh Government governance structures;
- To oversee the planning and delivery of activities funded from the Regional Carers Grant, including the compiling of the annual report;
- Deliver on a work programme agreed with the NWRPB;
- Share best practice and learning.