TCR Training

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Training event to review the carers (equal opportunities) act 2004

This one day course is designed for social workers, care managers and private and voluntary sector workers who will be or may be asked to undertake assessments on behalf of the local authority under the above legislation for carers. These workers will usually be a social worker in Primary Care, Learning Disability, Mental Health, or other specialist sensory or disability Teams.

The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 was implemented in April 2005 and changes the previous Carers and Disabled Children's Act 2000 in a few important ways. Firstly, it places a duty on social services departments to inform carers of their right to an assessment even if the 'cared for' refuses an assessment for themselves.

Workers attending the course will be expected to understand the implications of this legislation upon carers and of their right to be offered an assessment or to ask for an assessment of their own holistic needs. Secondly, when the assessment is carried out the purpose of it is not only to help the carer continue to care but should address a discussion about the carer's wishes to pursue employment, education or leisure pursuits. Thirdly, under this Act, social services departments can ask other public bodies including health organisations to provide services to carers; a request, which these bodies have to consider and make a reply.

The course will focus on practice skills. The course will include short tutor and group presentations, small group work, case study, chalk and talk and large group discussion.

Content

• Background to the current legislation and policies
• Determination of vulnerability areas or risk factors to carers
• Small group work to determine the 'disabling experiences' of being a carer
• Small group work to determine the impact these 'disabling experiences' have on carers
• Principles ofAssessment and how these link into other legislation e.g. FACS (Fair Access toCare Services)
• Group work worker and potential assessors to determine what the implications may be for them as practitioners in conducting carer's assessments. e.g. single or joint assessments, holistic view of assessment and eligible needs due to risks to independence, confidentiality issues between carer and cared for, new assessment forms, direct payments, report writing, reviews, SAFEGUARDING ADULTS issues including domestic violence, skills adjustment, assumptions, cultural awareness, equal opportunities and diversity issues, carer resistance or homeostasis issues.
• Case study work
• Empowering Carersas part of the overall strategy. Forging links with other organisations (voluntary or statutory sector) to encourage participation, progress, supportand encouragement. Includes preparation for assessment.
• The role of the carer's support worker
• Monitoring and evaluation (review) of assessment effectiveness
• Process for agreeing assessed need/service provision

Contact TCR for further information and quote price code: E