Review of the Identification, Recording and Referral of Carers in York
July 2004 to February 2005
Acton Shapiro was commissioned to carry out a project for the City of York’s multi-agency Carers Strategy Group, focused on mapping current systems for identifying, recording and referring carers within and between agencies. This included examining technical systems, formal policies and procedures and informal practices. It also explored barriers to good practice and the potential for improvement in the light of the changing local and national context.
This was a very practical piece of work. The research supported key agencies in the City of York to improve their response to a range of policy requirements, including:
- the National Carers Strategy
- statutory duties governing carer assessments
- specific carer indicators within the social care performance assessment framework.
The work had four main elements:
- A brief examination of current practice and knowledge in this area, including a review of current legislation, guidance and relevant national initiatives
- Mapping current systems and processes, including face-to-face and telephone interviews with key officers from a wide range of statutory and voluntary sector organisations
- Understanding what happens in practice - we know that organisational culture and attitudes can have a significant impact on the success with which policies and protocols are implemented at ground level
- Four focus groups with front line staff from across health and social care services in the city in order to understand how such issues were affecting local operations.
The final report made recommendations for change, based on local requirements and circumstances. These spanned specific changes to policy, practice, systems and processes. A feedback event was held to disseminate the recommendations effectively across agencies and professional groups and to consider next steps. |
 |