New Carers' Residential Respite Provision!

Great news brought by Rob Walker, Commissioning Manager, of Cheshire East Council to our December Audlem Carers' Support Group meeting about the significant new provision for carers' respite now arranged with private sector care homes across the borough.

Closure of Lincoln House

Following the announcement that Lincoln House, Crewe which had for many years provided excellent respite and rehabilitation services, was to close, a period of consultation with carers followed as to what alternative provision would be needed. Carers' Groups across the borough stressed the importance of having the continued option of regularly booked residential respite provision to give carers a break to help them continue in their caring role.

Cllrs. Janet Clowes and Rachel Bailey attended an Audlem Carers' Support Group meeting in 2014 where the need for this type of provision to be continued was stressed by many local carers. Janet and Rachel gave a specific commitment to also include emergency respite provision in their plans to commission respite beds from private sector care homes. The new level of provision now announced does include access to emergency residential respite for carers when things get difficult for them. Audlem Carers' Support Group and ADCA, who receive funding from Cheshire East to run the Group, are pleased that their lobbying and the response from local councillors has borne fruit. So, a big thank you to our local borough councillors.

New provision

The new respite provision will be available from January 2016 in 13 care homes throughout Cheshire East including 3 homes in Crewe and Corbrook Park in Audlem. Emergency respite provision is also available in Crewe.

The important thing now for carers is to make full use of these replacement facilities so that these beds continue to be made available for respite provision.

Carer Assessment

Anyone who provides care to people with substantial or critical care needs is eligible for a free carers assessment. To arrange a carers assessment, contact Cheshire East on 0300 123 5010. Following your carers assessment then a support plan will be drawn up to specifically meet your needs as a carer including periods of respite from caring which can include use of the new residential respite beds which can then be booked in advance or used in any emergency. Carers support services are also available to provide additional support at home to relieve carers from time to time.

Any services provided to carers are not charged for so a financial assessment of carers income is not made although a period of residential respite care will be charged for based on the person being cared for's income up to a maximum of £485 per week – which is significantly cheaper than arranging private respite directly with care homes. Cheshire East have provided a useful 'Frequently Asked Questions' fact sheet about the new carers respite provision along with a list of homes which are now contracted to provide respite. This FAQ can be seen here – click on the pdf file link below the photo..

ADCA support

Audlem Carers Support Group also provides advice and support to all local carers. You are most welcome to drop in for coffee and chat at the Support Group which meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday between 10am and 12noon at the Lord Combermere in Audlem Square. The Group is open to everyone who provides care support to family members, friends or neighbours. If you want to know more about local carers support services including our carers' break days or want to discuss the in and outs of getting a carers assessment then please contact Lynn Morear of ADCA on 07595 919727 or by email on lynnmorear@yahoo.co.uk

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