THE CARERS CHAMPION ROLE
Carers play a vital role helping partners, relatives, and friends to remain living in the community and never has this been so dramatically illustrated as over the past twelve months during the Covid-19 outbreak. To properly support the cared for person it is essential that we offer carers appropriate support too. Carers are often the ones juggling all the various aspects of the cared for persons' wellbeing and without them there would be significant gaps in the care plan.
It is hoped that all staff will be sufficiently carer aware to identify and signpost/refer carers to appropriate carer support services such as Knowsley Carers Centre and the Alzheimer's Society but there are many competing agendas for people working in health and social care and we find that having a carers champion or carer link can help to keep up the momentum.
Carers Champions can;
- Keep carers on the agenda in their teams and promote referral to appropriate services.
- Provide a link with Knowsley Carers Centre and other agencies to keep the team informed about carers services.
- Promote carer awareness training for all staff and regular team briefings.
- Help ensure that information about carers services held in the team is relevant and up to date.
- Inspire colleagues to work in partnership with carers. Carers are part of the health and social care team around the cared for person.
- Attend Carers Champion meetings to aid facilitation of all the above.
- Knowsley Carers Centre will deliver training for staff who wish to take on the role of Carers Champion and will continue to work in partnership with teams to ensure that carers receive the support they need.
For more information contact Jan Box at Knowsley Carers Centre call 0151 549 1412 or email janbox@knowsleycarers.co.uk