In Devon, we are currently implementing a new 'Carers Involvement Framework'. This will actively encourage carers to have their say at a local and county-level alongside Social Services and Primary Care Trust (PCT) staff. For further information, see the description of the Involvement Framework below this table.

Use the links below to find the dates of future meetings and previous minutes.

The Carers Involvement Framework has four different types of meetings:

Locally in each area:

• The locality Carers Forum
  This is open to all carers and will have Social Services and Primary Care Trust managers attending. They will discuss a range of issues and developments which are important to carers locally.

• The locality Carers Management Group
  This has nominated carers' representatives and Social Services and Primary Care Trust managers who take responsibility locally for debating and implementing actions from the locality or County groups.

Countywide:

• The County Carers Forum
  Selected carers from each of the local forums and planning groups.  This group's role is to maintain an overview of all carer issues within Devon.

• The County Carers Steering Group
  Chairs of the locality carers forums and senior management representatives from the Primary Care Trusts and Social Services meet to take collective responsibility for carers involvement and common issues affecting carers across Devon.

Social Services manages and provides its services in four areas or divisions, and increasingly in partnership arrangements.

The four divisions are as follows:

• Children's Services - children with mental health problems, disabilities (Parent Carers) and Young Carers
• Adult Services - for those aged 18 or above with physical or sensory difficulties and older people
• Mental Health Services - for those aged 18 or above
• Learning Disability Services - for those aged 18 or above

Reimbursement of costs

All carers attending meetings arranged by Social Services such as the Forums or Management meetings above are entitled to claim their travel costs and substitute care costs.  The policy below is for Social Services staff, and explains the context and procedure for making reimbursements and how this can been made on the day.  There is also a copy of the claims form to be used.  These may be helpful for carers as reference documents.

• Context (11KB - pdf help)
• Policy (11KB - pdf help)
• Claims Form (27KB - pdf help)
• Summary Form (24KB - pdf help)

Chairing meetings

Many of the meetings above are chaired by carers.  We try to support carers who volunteer to be chairs through training and information such as:

• Making Meetings Work - A resource pack for people who chair carers' meetings (277KB - pdf help)
• Top Tips for Making Meetings Effective (77KB - pdf help)

If you are interested in becoming a chair of your local Carers Forum or in developing the confidence and skills to share your views with professional or chair any other carers groups then contact your local Carers Link Worker here to discuss this further.

Find out more

• Carers in Devon Calendar of Events
• Local Carers Development / Support Workers
• Local Carers Link Network Workers
• Training and Learning opportunities for Carers - national and local information
• Join the Devon Carers Link Network
• Carers in Devon Development Group

Contact us

• Carers in Devon
  Social Services Directorate
  The Annexe
  County Hall
  Topsham Road
  EXETER
  EX2 4QR

01392 382331

carersindevon@devon.gov.uk

• or call your local Social Services office