How we developed the strategy
Every three years, the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) reviews its priorities to ensure it is focused on key health and wellbeing issues facing the local population. This involves analysing and reviewing the latest data and evidence to highlight the most significant health and wellbeing issues in Warwickshire, both now and in the future. Carers are one of the eleven identified priority topics and forms part of the JSNA’s three year programme of work (2015 – 2018).
A joint strategic carer’s needs assessment has been completed to provide insight into the unpaid care provision across Warwickshire and the extent and nature of local support service. In addition, a review and evaluation of Warwickshire’s current support for carers has been completed.
Together these pieces of work established that there was a need to redesign the existing model of support to carers in order to develop a locally based, accessible support offer that is central to carers needs and requirements, is outcome focused and ensures that we deliver upon our duties under the Care Act.
Warwickshire County Council supported by health partners, carried out a comprehensive engagement exercise to obtain the views of carers and health and social care practitioners over a six month period between June and November 2015.
We have considered what is important nationally in terms of legislation and guidance as part of our strategy. We have also aligned this strategy with the vision and values set out in Warwickshire Cares Better Together Plan, which has been agreed by Warwickshire Health and Wellbeing Board.
This strategy sets out how we will prioritise and target our resources and activities in order to achieve the vision set out above and drive improvements in support for carers across Warwickshire’s health and social care system. Whilst acknowledging the reducing budgets available across the social care and health economy.
A delivery plan underpins this strategy that outlines key priorities for further commissioning activity and delivery of services and support for carers between 2017 and 2020.