What is Devon Carers?
Devon Carers is a free service that provides information, advice, assessments and practical support to unpaid carers across Devon. The service is commissioned by Devon County Council and NHS Devon. Its purpose is to help carers maintain their own health and wellbeing, access support, understand their rights and continue in their caring role.
Information about the new arrangements for carers should be sent to you from us, via Westbank Health and Care. If you are a carer and have not received any correspondence please contact us on carersstrategy-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
Who does Devon Carers support?
Devon Carers supports:
• Adult unpaid carers who look after an adult family member, partner, friend or neighbour.
• Adults who are new to caring and need information and guidance.
• Young adult carers aged 18 to 24.
• Working-age carers.
• Carers supporting people with specific conditions such as dementia, mental health conditions, autism, cancer, learning disabilities, physical conditions, addiction and age-related frailty.
The service mainly supports carers where the person receiving care lives within the Devon County Council area. Different services are available in Plymouth and Torbay.
What’s happening to the service?
New arrangements will be in place for Carers’ services from 1 October, but it will continue with the same £2.3 million budget and offer the same support and advice.
Under procurement law, the current contract delivered by Westbank Health and Care on behalf of Devon County Council, cannot be renewed again.
Carers’ assessments, reviews and the Carers Helpline will be brought in-house to be delivered directly by Devon County Council.
Experienced staff who currently deliver carers’ assessments, reviews and helpline support are expected to transfer to the County Council in order to support a smooth changeover for carers. Carers will receive the same support from many of the same team they already know.
Peer support services and carer ambassador services are being recommissioned with new contracts. Existing providers, including Westbank Health and Care, have been invited to bid.
We are also working with voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations to develop a new Carer Wellbeing Alliance, bringing together local organisations to provide community-based support, information, advice and wellbeing opportunities closer to home.
Arrangements with Citizens Advice for support to unpaid carers will continue as normal.
What services will be available?
- Information and advice
From 1 October, a new carers service will continue to provide information about:
• Carers’ rights and the Care Act 2014
• Employment and flexible working
• Welfare benefits and finances
• Cost of living support
• Emergency planning
• Future planning and bereavement
• Health and wellbeing
• Condition-specific caring information
• Regular updates for carers - Carers assessments and reviews (commonly called the health and wellbeing check)
Carers’ assessments and reviews will be provided directly by Devon County Council.
The skilled and experienced staff who currently deliver these services through Westbank will transfer to the Council, meaning carers will continue to receive support from people they already know and trust. If you already have an appointment booked, it will go ahead as planned.
Bringing carers’ assessments into Devon County Council will help us take a more joined-up approach to supporting carers and the people they care for. Where appropriate, this may include coordinating a carer’s assessment alongside the Care Act assessment of the person they care for, helping to reduce duplication and ensuring support is planned more effectively.
For an assessment if you are caring for a child or young person under 18 with a disability, please visit https://www.devon.gov.uk/children-families-education/send-local-offer/social-care-support/parent-carers-needs-assessment/
- Carers helpline
The Carers Helpline will also be moving to Devon County Council and will continue to be staffed by the same knowledgeable and experienced team transferring from Westbank.
The helpline will remain the dedicated first point of contact for carers seeking information, advice and support, and the telephone number will stay the same.
Whether you are a new or existing carer, the Carers Helpline can help you access the information, guidance, and support available to you.
- Peer support groups
This service is being recommissioned but will continue to offer online and face-to-face peer support groups where carers can meet others in similar situations, share experiences and reduce feelings of isolation. Groups are available for specific caring circumstances and interests.
- Carers skills workshops
Free workshops provide practical skills, knowledge and wellbeing support. Topics include self-care, confidence building, caring techniques and condition-specific issues. Workshops will continue to be delivered both online and in person.
- Emergency and hospital planning
Advice and support will continue to be available to help carers who are supporting someone in or leaving hospital. We will work with health and care colleagues so carers are not left without help. This includes:
• Emergency Plans
• Alert Cards
• Escalation Plans
• Hospital discharge and planning information - Breaks and wellbeing support
Carers will be able to take breaks through:
• Carer Friendly Breaks
• Carefree hotel break scheme
• Wellbeing and self-care resources
• Emotional health support and counselling signposting - Technology-based support
The service offers access to digital resources including:
• Carers UK Digital Resources
• Bridgit Care, an AI-powered information and support platform commissioned by Devon County Council to complement existing services.These digital tools are not replacing human support, carers’ assessments, reviews or the helpline. They are an additional tool to provide extra information and signposting.
How can carers access support?
Before 1 October carers can access support by:
- Registering with Devon Carers online.
- Calling the helpline on Tel: 03456 434 435
- Emailing the service at: info@devoncarers.org.uk
- Being referred by a health, social care or community professional
- Visit the Devon Carers website for information and support
- Visiting our carer’s support section on this website.
Once registered, carers can receive a welcome pack, information about available support, access to workshops and groups, and receive a Carers ID card.
If you have any questions about the new carers service please email carersstrategy-mailbox@devon.gov.uk