Information and advice was the theme when Care Services Minister Phil Hope visited Rushcliffe Community and Voluntary Service in Nottingham.
The Minister spoke with local councilors and council workers, and saw presentations on the four schemes the service is running. The schemes provide information and advice to different sections of the community, helping people to access care and support services that fit their needs and aspirations. The overall aim is to promote the health, safety and independence of older people in their own homes.
Mr Hope said: “Rushcliffe Community and Voluntary Service shows helping people stay active and independent is key to a people-centred care system.”
First Contact
First Contact is a signposting scheme aimed at helping people aged over 60 to access services.
The system relies on the first person who comes into contact with an older person. Typically a frontline member of staff or volunteer, they use a quick and simple checklist to create a profile of an older person’s circumstances and needs. They will then signpost to the appropriate services to meet those needs.
Alternatively, a self-assessment form is filled out and sent off to a central point of contact
where referrals are automatically generated to relevant agencies. The agency then makes contact with the older person within 28 days and offers services.
The areas it covers include accommodation, housing maintenance and repairs, injury prevention, affordable warmth, home security, welfare benefits, transport, and voluntary and community groups.
The scheme is delivered as a partnership between a wide variety of local bodies including the police, housing, voluntary and fire services. Piloted in 2005, it has since been rolled out county-wide. In most cases it is delivered through the voluntary sector.
Community Outreach advisers
The Community Outreach programme, like First Contact, is a county-wide project delivered through voluntary sector organisations. It is also designed to help people to stay safe and independent at home by helping them access services.
Open to anyone over 50, the council-funded scheme puts more of an emphasis on hard to reach groups such as black and minority ethnic (BME) communities, people living with mental health problems, people in rural isolation or traveller communities – and identifying and reporting gaps in local services
“They are also looking to reach carers from BME communities, particuallrly south asian people who are tending to miss out and we are looking into why that is,” says David Pearson, Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health Notts County Council
Again like First Contact, the system works from self-referrals, or referrals taken from a range of other workers such as Community Matrons, hospital discharge schemes and tenancy support workers.
Once a referral has been made, an outreach adviser will make a home visit to identify needs, share information and to make further referrals to other agencies where appropriate. There is then a follow-up contact to identify further needs, and to ensure other agencies have been in touch. The scheme works more closely with people with complex needs.
“It’s much more of a personalised service,” said Jessica Molineaux, Community Outreach Advisor for the service. “I really get to grips with the issues that a person has. I spend more time with them, so they’ll start to trust me and have more confidence that they can tell me about things that perhaps they weren’t ready to tell somebody else.
“On my second or third visit they might tell me something they didn’t tell me at first. We are really trying to reach those people that don’t ordinarily access services. Who are isolated.”
The Community Outreach programme covers a broad spectrum of services, from frozen meal delivery services, to local support groups and hobby groups, and is delivered through organisations with a detailed knowledge of local services, activities and support.
Notts 50+
The Notts 50+ scheme also offers information, advice and support for people over 50.
The scheme uses, among other things, various publications and newsletters and the Notts 50+ website.
The web portal provides information on services, activities and organisations for people who are aged over 50 and living in Nottinghamshire, including sports clubs, support groups, food shopping and financial advice.
By gathering this information in one place, the scheme helps people to find out what is available and take part in their local community, keep in contact with other people and stay independent.
Computer access to those without their own PC is available in a number of outlets including libraries and older people’s resource centres. Free computer support and training is available. The scheme has a number of IT champions to help facilitate this.
“Having a computer is essential,” says Diane Smeeton, who recently become computer literate with help from the support services.
“We were provided with two computers at our community centre. In the 15 months that we have had them, 60 people have learned how to use them. They are so thrilled that they are not marginalised, and they are able to get this kind of information, and of course to keep in contact with their friends. It is exciting when people realise that yes – they’re old, but they can still learn how to use a computer.”
Nottsinfoscript
Nottsinfoscript is Nottinghamshire’s information prescription service for everybody with long term health and care and support needs. An information prescription is anything that gives patients and carers information they need.
The scheme was set up after pilots and consultation with patients and interested parties. The categories it covers are: diagnosis, emotional wellbeing, home and local services, voluntary, support and community groups, leisure, sport and work, benefits, legal and financial advice, general health and wellbeing.
Like the other schemes, Nottsinfoscript relies upon the front line worker who first meets a patient or carer. They will identify their information need, explain information prescriptions and offer information. They will then explain follow-up procedures and dispensing methods before completing an online form.
“We’re looking at a cultural change in the way in which we in our communities view our responsibilities and the way in which organisations work within communities,” said
Ian Bradford, Chief executive of Rushcliffe Community Voluntary Service.
“All of that needs resources and encouragement and support. These schemes are about making sure that people have access to services. What we’ve got to make sure of is that the services are there for them to access.”
“Overall we reckon we’re reaching about 10-15% of the older population,” said John Hannam, Adult Social Care and Health at Nottinghamshire County Council. “Overall we do find a growing use of the websites and we feel while older people in general are not particularly enthusiastic about computers, a growing number of people are.
“We are constantly reviewing these things. We’re looking at efficiency, we’re looking at effectiveness we’re looking at the possibility of extending it to younger vulnerable adults.
“We do realise there is a bit of a gap there in terms of services to carers, so again we are piloting the service for carers aswell. We’re expecting a very rapid role out to the whole of the county.”