Issue - meetings

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Legal and Business Operations requesting that the Panel consider the comments made by the invited guests and use the information provided as evidence in the review.

Summary of information provided:

A carers perspective – Ellie-May, Leah, Zunayrah and Jenny

• Three young carers, Leah, Ellie-May and Zunayrah, supported by Emma Jones from No Limits, informed the Panel about their experiences with regards to accessing information, advice and guidance as young carers.
• The lack of a Young Carers Discount Card, mirroring the discount card available to adult carers was raised.  A card that enabled discounts on transport, days out, school meals would be appreciated.
• A young carers allowance or grant was suggested as a mechanism to help support young carers, akin to the Young Scot Young Carers Grant.  This would not be funded nationally.
• No limits website provides advice to young carers but not all young carers follow this, and emails get lost.  Potential for Instagram page / What’s App group / Updated Facebook group or newsletter to provide information and advice to young carers.
• Linda Lawless, Service Manager at Carers in Southampton, interviewed Jenny, a carer whose husband has vascular dementia and COPD. 
• Jenny outlined challenges in obtaining adaptations to her bathroom to help her husband access the facilities.  A Council Occupational Therapist had undertaken an assessment and referred her in October 2020, but she had not heard back.
• Jenny explained challenges in receiving benefits she was entitled to.  Form filling was a barrier and the system is complex.  She has received support from SCC’s Welfare Rights Service.
• Jenny was benefitting from support to access community services.  The Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Navigator has been brilliant in providing support to Jenny and her husband.  She has also been referred to Communicare for a befriender by Adult Mental Health Service.  The volunteer befriender took her to and from a medical appointment recently.  Communicare will shortly be starting a new service called Hello Southampton to keep in touch with lonely residents.
• Unpaid carers will be 6^th priority to receive a Covid vaccination (although it is thought that over a quarter of carers are in a higher priority group).  Carers in Southampton have written to all unpaid carers that they are in contact with encouraging them to register as a carer with their GP/Practice Manager.  This will ensure they receive a priority vaccination as well as reminders for annual flu vaccinations and health checks. The pandemic provides an opportunity to register carers and get information out to them.

DWP support for carers – Mark Knight, DWP Policy Lead nationally for Carers & Andy Sherman, DWP Employer & Partnership Manager

• A presentation was delivered by Mark and Andy outlining the support available for carers from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and local initiatives.
• Carer’s Allowance (CA) provides a measure of financial support and recognition for those who have had to give up or limit their employment because of their caring responsibilities.
• As of May 2020, there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10