Coventry's Adult Social Care Bulletin

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Adult Social care header

Adult Social Care Bulletin

In this issue:


Welcome

Pete Fahy

In Adult Social Care we are looking for ways to increase communication and information sharing to reach more people.

This bulletin is one of the things we will be trying in 2020 as a way to improve our communication. This is the first edition and I hope you find the content interesting and helpful.

In this first edition there is content on what we have been doing, the different ways we are seeking feedback, practical advice and some information of what is available in local communities plus key contact numbers, should you or someone you know require support.

I hope you find the content of this first bulletin interesting and we are happy to receive feedback on how it could be improved by contacting us at getinvolvedasc@coventry.gov.uk

Pete Fahy - Director of Adult Services


Adult Social Care Annual Report

Adult Social Care Local Account

Every year Adult Social Care produce a report to describe what we have done over the last year. The report contains information about the numbers of people we have worked with over the year, service developments, the key challenges we face and our successes.  The report is sometimes know as a Local Account.

This report has been co-produced using people's own journeys to demonstrate the work undertaken. The report also sets out the priorities for Adult Social Care for the next year.  Read or download a copy of the report.

We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who contributed this year and really brought the report to life.   


Adult Social Care Experience Survey

These days we're all used to being asked about our experiences, whether it's at the dentist surgery or following a meal out.  In Adult Social Care we traditionally survey people on a yearly basis or carers on a bi-annual basis, this is part of a requirement for all local authorities and only a random sample of people are asked to feedback. However we want to understand more about people's experience in the here and now, so when we look to make improvements in Adult Social Care they are reflective of the present moment. It will help us pick up any trends or themes that are occurring that might be impacting on people's quality of life. 

From 1 October 2019 practitioners have been conducting a short survey, following a review (either an annual review or a scheduled review) asking key questions about people's experiences of Adult Social Care and the support they receive. 

What will the results be used for?

The feedback from the survey will help us understand how we need to target improvements within the support we provide.  We also hope through conducting the survey that we'll understand more about people who may want to be involved in contributing to how we develop.  As more people undertake the survey we will ultimately be sharing the results with our stakeholders. 

Experience Survey Pic

Young Carers

Young Carers Logo

In Adult Social Care we often work with children and younger adults who are providing care for a family member.  Young carers play an incredibly valuable role in supporting family members but often do so to the detriment to their own wellbeing and their overall ability to enjoy their childhood. 

In Coventry we're very fortunate to have the Young Carers Project run by the Carers Trust Heart of England. They run weekly activities, work with schools and families and provide a safe space for young carers to come and let off some steam. 

Anyone who is a young carer is also entitled to an assessment of their own needs, which should look at the impact caring has on them and what might help improve their situation.  Since November 2019 the Young Carers Project will be undertaking our Young Carers Assessments on behalf of the Local Authority.

If you know a child who is providing care for a friend or relative (this doesn't have to be practical care, it may be emotional support as well) and you feel they would benefit from some support, it may be worth telling them about the Young Carers Project.  If you want to find out more about the project you can contact them on 024 7663 2972 or visit their website.

If you'd like to find out more about who is a Young Carer we also have some online training called Young Carer Aware that anyone can access. 


Keeping warm and well

When the weather is cold and wet are all more prone to additional coughs and colds.  Looking after yourself is important to avoid the risk of worsening health.  Keeping warm and dry is essential and the NHS has put together some advice messages to think about:

  • Stay warm - set your thermostat to 18-21 degrees Celsius.
  • Make sure that you have received all appropriate vaccinations - your GP surgery can give you advice on this.
  • Make sure you have adequate supplies of medication and groceries in case you struggle to leave the house.
  • Try to have warm drinks and at least one hot meal each day.
  • Dress in plenty of layers and make sure slippers, shoes and boots are a snug fit with non-slip soles. When you go outside wear a hat, gloves and scarf.
  • Keep active and remove hazards that may cause you to fall.
  • Make sure you have an emergency contact number for a friend or neighbour in case you need help.
  • If feeling ill, call NHS 111, the free non-emergency number. A highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals will assess your symptoms and direct you to the best medical advice or treatment for you. Available 24 hours a day.

For more health advice on keeping warm this winter, visit the NHS website


Falls prevention

Falls Leaflet

Having a fall can not only have serious medical implications but it can severely impact someone's mental wellbeing and their confidence around being independent. And for those caring for someone who experiences a fall, it may be an extremely distressing process.  Unfortunately we know that many people who experience a fall end up requiring a hospital admission.   

We know in Coventry we have a higher rate of people over the age of 65 who end up falling and requiring a hospital admission compared to other areas we are similar too. So we were keen to look at how we improve our approach and our local understanding of falls.   

Following a well attended Falls Prevention event in December 2019, for Home Support and Housing with Care Providers a number of activities will be happening to continue the work to prevent falls and reduce related injuries. We will be looking at the use of moving and handling equipment, distributing a Carers Trust Guide to reducing, Slips, Trips and Falls in the home to service providers and we have also launched React to Falls Accreditation training for providers.

You can access the leaflet via this Carers Trust Leaflet.


Adult Social Care in numbers

  • 3420 people are in receipt of long term care
  • 2199 receive a personal budget
  • 547 receive a Direct Payment
  • 2162 safeguarding concerns raised of which 242 resulted in an enquiry (1 April - 30 September 2019)
  • 989 DOLS applications received (1 July - 30 September 2019)
Infographic Numbers

Coventry Information Directory

CID

Have you used our online community directory? 

The Adult Social Care Community Directory contains all sorts of information about what's going on in Coventry to support all Coventry residents, including hobbies, local community groups, supporting charities and much more.The tool allows you to search for areas of interest. We regularly update the directory to make sure that the information is up-to date. 

We also encourage people to inform us of any groups they might recommend or want to get put on the directory.  If you want to add any content yourself you can contact: Brokerage@coventry.gov.uk

You can visit the website Adult Social Care Directory.


Adult Social Care - Stakeholders Group - get involved

Get Involved

Are you interested in being involved in how policies and services are designed in Adult Social Care?  Would you like to use own experiences to help us improve services?

Every other month the Adult Social Care Stakeholders Group meet to discuss developments within Adult Social Care, new services, policies, information and legislation.  It is a chance for us to work collaboratively and find out what really matters to people who come into contact with Adult Social Care.  If you'd be interested in attending you can email getinvolvedasc@coventry.gov.uk and we will add you to the invite list. The group next meets on Wednesday 7 April - 10.30am - 12.30pm at the main Council House. 

If you'd still like to be part of the group but might struggle to attend we can still send you the relative papers, agendas and minutes by email and seek your views along the way. 


Find out more about Coventry Library Services

Boost your mood this New Year

Battle the blues this year by picking up a book from our Reading Well Mood Boosting collection.

Reading Well Mood Boosting books have been recommended by readers as being uplifting and are perfect when you’re feeling in need of a boost.

Titles in the new collection include memoirs, poetry, novels and more. There’s something for everyone in this great new collection so why not start the year by picking up a pick me up.

To find out more about books in this collection pop in to your local library, search our online catalogue online catalogue, or visit our e-books page to download titles for free.

Coventry Libraries support Readers' Groups

Do you love reading and long to discuss the books you have read? Whether you loved or loathed a book, why not join one of Coventry Libraries Readers' Groups to share your opinions.

Readers' Groups are great places to meet other people who love to read, talk about books and discover new authors and genres that you may not have thought of trying. Our groups across libraries in Coventry are friendly and informal. New members are always welcome. You do not need any literary knowledge to join a readers' group, you just need to enjoy reading! There is no need to worry if you haven't finished the book or didn't like it, you can still come along and join in.

To find out more about joining a Readers' Group, ask at your local library or see information on our readers group page.

Coventry Home Library Service

In partnership with Age UK, Coventry Libraries and Information Service offer a home library service that delivers books to people who are unable to visit the library themselves. This is a free service with regular deliveries.

More information about the Home Library Service and how to request the service

Home Libary Service

Contact information

Council contacts and Mental Health Services

Adult Social Care Direct

The first point of contact for any referrals into Adult Social Care.

024 7683 3003

Emergency Out of Hours

(After 5pm Monday to Thursday, 4.30pm on Friday and through the weekend)

For urgent enquiries / emergencies only outside of normal office hours. 

 

024 7683 2222

Main Council Customer Services

The main switchboard for Coventry City Council.

080 8583 4333

Central Booking Services (Mental Health Services)

Run by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust (CWPT), this is the first point of contact for people accessing mental health services and CWPT services. 

0300 200 0011

Other organisations

Age UK Coventry

Supporting adults 18+ providing information and advice, support and groups.

024 7623 1999

Alzheimer’s Society Coventry

Supporting adults with a diagnosis of dementia and their families with the provision of information and advice and group-based support. 

024 7665 2602

Carers Trust Heart of England

One-stop shop for unpaid carers of all ages.

024 7663 2972

Coventry & Warwickshire MIND 

Support for people living with a mental health condition.

024 7655 2847

Macmillan Cancer Support

Cancer Support Service. 

024 7696 6052

Healthwatch  

Independent organisation supporting people to have their say in health and social care services.

024 7625 2011

SEND Information, Advice and Support Service

Providing information and advice to young people with disabilities and special educational needs. 

024 7669 4307


Contact us

If you have any comments, feedback or wish to contribute something to the next bulletin, please let us know by contacting us at getinvolvedasc@coventry.gov.uk