Implementation
Based in the Dementia, Older Adult’s Mental Health and Frailty Services, CIS work in the Community setting and are integrated with PCN’s, other Community Health Teams, Adult Social Care in two Local Authorities, the local Acute setting at Southend Hospital and the third sector.
The team provide crisis intervention to prevent carer breakdown and manages rising risk using comprehensive personalised Carer Health and Wellbeing Checks for physical, mental, social and emotional Health. They support carers who may be living with long term conditions, and who neglect their own physical and mental health due to their caring role. They empower and enable carers to think about their wellbeing by accessing community offers to build resilience and manage their caring responsibilities.
CIS have a unique service offer with direct electronic access to health systems enabling contact with PCN’s, GP’s and community health as needed, as well as working closely with Adult Social Care, Discharge Teams, Community and Acute settings, Care Providers and Care Homes to provide wraparound support for carers.
Once referred the team support the carer to care in any community dwelling, usually their home setting or sheltered accommodation. The team continue to support if the cared for goes into Hospital, respite or a permanent residential setting. Generally, support is only discontinued when requested by the carer.
The team provide eight community Carers’ Health and Wellbeing Drop-in Support Groups across the two local authority areas and a further Carers’ Frailty Hub at Southend Hospital each month.
Outcome
CIS was funded in 2022 for one year with two senior support workers for crisis response. Year two and three funding was increased to provide six senior support workers that enable and demonstrate prevention of crisis and manage rising risk through the Carers’ Health and Wellbeing Checks. This has been achieved through regular monitoring of information requests, KPI’s, outcomes and a Carers’ Voices research piece by the University of Essex.
The team have avoided hospital admission or care home placement for 100% of the carers supported by CIS. 100% of carers have been responded to within the agreed time frame. The Team Lead is currently exploring funding opportunities for the continuation of the service post June 2025.
Contact
Nancy Smith – Carers Intensive Support Lead & Integrated Practice Support Officer
Email: [email protected]