Caring Well Engagement Page

Introduction to Carers

The Caring Well engagement page has been put together to provide carers with information and resources, as well as a space to share ideas, comments and thoughts.

This page will cover:

1. Who we are
2. Who is this page for?
3. Background
4. The Caring Well strategy
5. Help and support for carers
6. How can you get involved

Who we are

The Caring Well Partnership Group is a group of council employees from across different teams such as adult social care (social workers, commissioners), public health, the culture / leisure teams, the engagement team along with services external to the council such as NHS, local carers organisations and Voluntary Services in Southend who provide services to carers in Southend on Sea. This page includes information from these services to help achieve the outcomes outlined in the Caring Well strategy.

Who is this page for?

This page is for both paid and unpaid carers.

A carer is a person who looks after someone with care and support needs. Carers play an indispensable role in providing essential care and support to family members who may have disabilities, chronic illnesses, or mental health challenges.

Background

The council’s overall direction for adult social care is built on three core strategies named ‘Ageing Well’, ‘Caring Well’, and ‘Living Well’ setting out priorities up to 2027. The three strategies were co-designed with people who use services and their friends and families. They focus on how the council will support people across the city, whether they are older people, those with a care and support need with learning disabilities, mental health challenges, autism, living with additional physical or sensory difficulty, or the friends and family of people with additional needs.

The Caring Well Strategy

Our Caring Well strategy is a joint strategy with health colleagues that focuses on the needs of unpaid carers, sometimes called ‘hidden carers’. These carers can be children (young carers) or adults that find themselves in a position caring for a family member, partner or friend. They play a significant role in preventing the need for a more formal care provision and the health and social care system relies on this unpaid support.

The Caring Well strategy is dedicated to acknowledging and supporting the vital contributions of carers, both young and adult, within our community. It aims to ensure that carers receive the recognition, resources and support they need to balance their caregiving responsibilities with their personal lives.

Priorities and action plans within this strategy focus on the priority areas of:

• Identifying, respecting and valuing carers
• Providing suitable information and support
• Developing carers, knowledge and understanding
• Assessing carers needs
• Maintaining carers balance by connecting with communities and being able to take a break
• Recognising health and wellbeing needs
• Helping carers stay in, enter or return to work education or training (if appropriate)
• Being prepared for changes and encouraging integration and partnership working to meet people’s needs.

Help and support for carers

There are a variety of different teams that can support carers in Southend. For example:

Carers First: are a council-commissioned service who are able to provide information, advice and support to carers living in Southend.

• Website: https://www.carersfirst.org.uk/southend-on-sea/welcome/(External link)
• Telephone: 0300 303 1555
• Email: hello@carersfirst.org.uk

Southend on Sea City Council: the adult social care team provides social care support for carers in Southend.

• Website: Adult Social Care Portal | Livewell Southend
• Phone: During working hours (9am – 5pm): 01702 215008 / Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team: 0345 606 1212

Financial support and advice: if carers would like assistance with benefits or financial support, please contact Citizens Advice Southend(External link) using the Enquiry Form. Where appropriate, this information will then be shared with the council’s Benefits team to contact and provide support.

We value your feedback…

The Carers Connected group is a group of carers who meet typically every 6 weeks with the Strategic Commissioning team at Southend City Council to discuss a range of different topics.

• Learn more about free local services and activities.
• Share your thoughts directly with SCC officers in person.
• Be part of decision-making in your community.
• Make new friends.

We work with carers to start new initiatives, receive their feedback on how the services are currently working and ways we can help support carers further. This group is also a good opportunity to find out about different activities happening across Southend on Sea and overall, is a safe space for carers to meet and talk.

For more details, please contact Brooke Littlejohn – brookelittlejohn@southend.gov.uk