Your life, your choice. Information for carers · 2019-09-20 · Easy read version of Your life your choice. Information for people who need social care support, and for family and

Your life, your choice.Information for carers

EasyRead leaflet for carers

Easy read version of Your lifeyour choice. Information for peoplewho need social care support,and for family and friend carers.2019

What is in this booklet Page

1. What this booklet is about 1

2. Supporting you to be independent 3

3. Support that’s right for you 8

4. Supporting a carer 13

5. Planning your support 15

6. Carers’ personal budget 16

7. Checking how well your 17support is working

8. Keeping you safe 19

9. When you do not like our 24our decisions

10. Tell us what you think 27

11. Contact us 28

12. Useful contacts 29

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1. What this bookletis about

This booklet is for carers.

Carers are people who look afterfamily, friends or their partner who isill or disabled.

Carers are not paid.

We want to help people who are carers.

This booklet tells you how we can help youto get the care and support you need.

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Carers don’t always live with the personthey are caring for.

Carers have a right to be known as a carer.This is the law.

If you think you are a carer please contactour Adults’ CarePoint to see if we canhelp. How to contact them is on page 29.

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2. Supporting you tobe independent

If you cannot make decisions

The law says that people over 16 years oldshould make their own choices.

Unless we know people can’t and needsupport.

If people need help to make choices wemust help them do what is right for them.

We will talk with your family or the personwith legal power to make decisions foryou. You may not have anyone to makedecisions for you. Then we will always dowhat’s best for you after looking at thepossible ways to support you.

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Understanding the information wegive you

We must make sure we give youinformation in a way you can understand.

You may want the information or letters inbraille or easy read for example. Or youmay need someone to explain what isbeing said to you. For example usingBritish Sign Language.

We must :

● find out the best way for you tounderstand information

● write in your files the best way for youto understand information

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● make sure it shows up straight away inyour file

● make sure everyone knows who needsto know

● make sure you get information in theway you need it.

Helpful information

Carers Support West Sussex

Information and support for carers.

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They have support groups and anewsletter.

They do health checks for carers.

They do most of the carer’s assessments.The assessment helps to work out whatsupport the carer needs.

How to contact them is on page 31.

West Sussex Connect to Support

This is our website that has ideas to helppeople live independently.

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Some ideas are free or do not cost a lot.Some ideas are services or things to buy.

There is information about support forcarers.www.westsussexconnecttosupport.org

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3. Support that’s rightfor you

A family or friend carer is not paid. Theysupport someone they know who cannotmanage without their help.

A carer does not need to live in WestSussex to have an assessment. But theperson they support must live in WestSussex.

Carer self-assessment

The carer’s self assessment helps you tothink about what works well in your lifeand what needs to change.

You can find the form on our websitewww.westsussexconnecttosupport.org

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Or you can ask our Adults’ CarePoint for apaper one. How to contact them is onpage 29.

You do not have to fill in this form beforecontacting us if you feel you need support.It is there to help you think about things.

Carer’s Assessment

As a carer you have the right to have anassessment of what support you need.Even if the person you care for has noassessment or does not have servicesfrom us.

Carers Support West Sussex do most ofthe carer’s assessments. Sometimes asocial care worker may do theassessment.

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You can contact Carers Support WestSussex . How to contact them is onpage 31. Or you can contact our Adults’CarePoint. How to contact them is onpage 29.

Your assessment can cover the followingthings:

● how caring affects your health and life

● your feelings and choices

● work, learning and social life

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● relationships

● your goals – what you want to achieve

● your home. For example, are you ableto support the person you care for inyour home

● planning for emergencies.

You will be invited to any meetings wehave about the person you care for. Aslong as they want you there.

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We try to do your assessment in a monthafter you ask for it.

Are you a young person under theage of 18 supporting someone?

If yes, you can contact our Young CarersService. How to contact them can is on onpage 42.

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4. Supporting a carer

We use government rules to help usdecide what support we will give you.We look at what effect being a carer hason your life and health.

We think about the support you alreadyget from family and friends. We look atwhat support you can get from groupswe give money to.

We also think about what may happen tothe person you care for if you stop beinga carer.

If we decide you do not get supportpaid for by us

You still have the right to a carer’sassessment and information aboutsupport. Some of this support is free.

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You will find more information onour websitewww.westsussexconnecttosupport.org

Carers Support West Sussex know a lotabout support you can get all over WestSussex. How to contact them is onpage 31.

What happens if I move out of WestSussex?

If you move out of West Sussex and youare able to get support paid for by us wewill speak to your new council about thesupport you need.

We will make sure your move will notcause problems with your support. If youmove out of West Sussex but the personyou care for still lives there, we can stillsupport you.

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5. Planning your support

What is in your support plan?

● what support your assessment saysyou need

● what you want to get out of the plan

● what support you need to do this

● what support we will give you.

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6. Carers’ personal budget

We work out how much money we havefor your support. We are fair in the waywe do this. We use the same way foreveryone. The money you get is calledyour personal budget.

We usually give you this in one payment.

You may want to use this money for:

● something that gives you a breakfrom caring

● something that will make yourlife easier.

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7. Checking how well yoursupport is working

We need to make sure your support isworking well. We have a review to do this.

If you have a support plan it will bereviewed from time-to-time. We will agreewith you when to carry out the review.

When everything is going well we will tellyou how to contact us if things change.

When they are not going well we will lookat other things that might support you.

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If you have a carers support plan we willcontact you within the first 3 months tocheck that your needs have been met.

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8. Keeping you safe

It is an important part of our work to helpkeep you safe.

There are many different types of abuseand neglect.

Abuse is when someone does bad thingsto you or someone else.

Neglect is not caring for someoneproperly.

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There are different types of abuse andneglect.

● physical abuse – this is when someonehurts you or causes harm to your body

● sexual abuse – this is doing somethingsexual to you that you don’t want

● financial abuse – for example whensomeone spends your money onsomething and you do not knowabout it

● psychological abuse – this could bewhen someone keeps shouting at you

● discrimination -when you are nottreated equally or fairly.

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Abuse can happen anywhere and toanyone. It may be caused by someoneyou know or a stranger.

If you think someone is being abusedyou should tell us.

Please contact our Adults’ CarePoint. Howto contact them is on page 29.

If it is an emergency please call 999.

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If you report a concern to us our staff will:

● listen and take what you say seriously

● talk to the person at risk to see whatthey want to happen

● find out if the person at risk would likean advocate - this is someone who willspeak on their behalf

● call the police if a crime has happened

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● contact other organisations like theCare Quality Commission

● agree on the best way to help theperson at risk.

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9. When you do not likeour decisions

You may not agree with our decisionsabout your support. Then you can appeal.

You can appeal yourself. Or someone canappeal for you as long as you agree.

These are the decisions you can appealabout:

● the support that we think we shouldgive you

● your assessment or self assessment.You may feel we have not thoughtenough about your information.

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● the amount of money we agree youneed because of your caring role.

● your support plan. You may feelyou were not given a lot of choice indoing this

● how much money we give you for yourcare and support.

An advocate can help you with yourappeal. An advocate can help you saywhat you want. You can get informationabout advocates from your social careworker or you can visit:www.westsussexconnecttosupport.org

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Or you can ask our Adults’ CarePoint. Howto contact them is on page 29.

You may not be happy with what we sayabout your appeal. Then you can contactthe Local Government Ombudsman. Howto contact them is on page 37.

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10. Tell us what you think

We try to do a good job but we knowsometimes you may not be happy with us.We want you to tell someone.

The person you see most or their manageris often best. Or you can contact ourCustomer Relations Team. How to contactthem is on page 32.

Or you may think we have done a greatjob. Please tell us!

Healthwatch West Sussex

You can tell Healthwatch West Sussexwhat you think about us. Their job is tohelp services to be better. You can phonethem at 0300 012 0122 or visitwww.healthwatchwestsussex.co.uk

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11. Contact us

To find out more about what you haveread in this booklet contact our Adults’CarePoint. They also have more leafletsabout our services. How to contact themis on page 29.

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12. Useful contacts

Adults’ CarePointSecond FloorThe GrangeCounty HallChichester,PO19 1RG

Phone:01243 642121

NGT Text Relay:18001 01243 642121(Helps people with hearing and speechdifficulties)

Email:[email protected]

Website:www.westsussex.gov.uk/social-care-and-health

Online enquiry: visitwww.westsussex.gov.uk/social-care-and-healthandgo to ‘Social care support’ and then‘Contact us for adult social care support’.

http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/social-care-and-health

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Age UK West SussexSuite 2Anchor SpringsLittlehamptonBN17 6BP

Phone:0800 019 1310between 10am and 2pm


Website:www.ageukwestsussex.org.uk

Care Quality Commission – South EastCitygateGallowgateNewcastle upon Tyne,NE1 4PA

Phone:03000 616161

mailto:[email protected]

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Fax:03000 616171

Website:www.cqc.org.uk

Carers Support West SussexThe Orchard1–2 Gleneagles CourtBrighton RoadCrawleyRH10 6AD

Phone:0300 028 8888


Website:www.carerssupport.org.uk

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Carewise – care funding advice

Phone:01243 642121


Website:www.carewiseadvice.com

Customer Relations TeamCounty HallChichesterWest SussexPO19 1RQ

Phone:01243 777100(ask for the Customer Relations Team)


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Community lifelong services teams (adults)

● Western (Chichester and Bognor Regisareas)

Durban HouseDurban RoadBognor RegisPO22 9RE

Phone:0330 222 7888

NGT Text Relay:18001 0330 222 7888(Helps people with hearing and speechdifficulties)


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● Coastal (Littlehampton, Worthing andShoreham areas) Centenary House

Durrington LaneWorthingBN13 2QB

Phone:0330 222 7778



● North (Crawley, Horsham and MidSussex areas) County Hall North

Chart WayHorshamRH12 1XH

Phone:0330 222 86000

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Department of Health and Social CareMinisterial Correspondence and PublicEnquiries Unit

39 Victoria StreetLondonSW1H 0EU

Phone:020 7210 4850

Textphone:0207 222 2262

Fax:0115 902 3202

Website:www.dh.gov.uk

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Department for Work and Pensions

Confidential Freephone number on0800 1690154

Website:www.gov.uk

Disabled car badge – Blue BadgeBlue Badge TeamPO Box 859Bognor RegisWest SussexPO21 9HT

Phone:01243 777653



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Website:www.westsussex.gov.uk/bluebadge

Independent LivesSouthfield House11 Liverpool GardensWorthingWest SussexBN11 1RY

Phone:08456 012399


Website:www.independentlives.org

Local Government OmbudsmanPO Box 4771CoventryCV4 0EH

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Phone:0300 061 0614

Website:www.lgo.org.uk/making-a-complaint

Meals on Wheels – Apetito

Phone:01903 718893


Website:www.mealsonwheels.info

Mental health recovery and wellbeingteamsFor information and details of your localteam, please contact your GP or Adults’CarePoint.

Please see above for contact details forour Adults’ CarePoint.

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My NetworkMy Network provides information, adviceand support for people with learningdisabilities. For contact details of yourlocal network point, please visitwww.westsussexconnecttosupport.organd select ‘I want to find things to dolocally’.

Or contact our Adults’ CarePoint. Pleasesee our contact details above.

NHS Coastal West Sussex ClinicalCommissioning Group1 The CausewayGoring-by-SeaWorthingWest SussexBN12 6BT

Phone:01903 708400

Website:www.coastalwestsussexccg.nhs.uk

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NHS Crawley Clinical Commissioning GroupCrawley HospitalLower Ground FloorWest Green DriveCrawleyWest SussexRH11 7DH

Phone:01293 600300 ext. 4255

Website:www.crawleyccg.nhs.uk

NHS Horsham and Mid Sussex ClinicalCommissioning GroupCrawley HospitalLower Ground FloorWest Green DriveCrawleyWest SussexRH11 7DH

Phone:01293 600300 ext. 4255

Website:www.horshamandmidsussexccg.nhs.uk

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Prevention assessment teams● Western − Chichester District and

Bognor Regis area

Phone:01243 642370


● Southern − Littlehampton, Worthingand Shoreham area

Phone:01273 268900


● Northern − Crawley, Horsham and MidSussex area

Phone:01403 229510

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Wellbeing hubsFor the contact details for your localwellbeing hub, please visitwww.westsussexwellbeing.co.uk

Or contact our Adults’ CarePoint. Pleasesee our contact details above.

West Sussex Connect to SupportA website with informationabout helping people live independently.www.westsussexconnecttosupport.org

Young Carers Service

Phone:01903 270300


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Website:www.westsussex.gov.uk/youngcarers

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Credits

This paper has been designed andproduced for West Sussex County Councilby the EasyRead service atInspired Services Publishing Ltd.Ref ISL145 19. September 2019.

www.inspiredservices.org.uk

It meets the European EasyRead Standard.

The Making it Easier Groupmaking EasyRead informationwith Leading Lives.

Selected photos are from theInspired.pics EasyRead collection andcannot be used anywhere else withoutwritten permission from Inspired ServicesPublishing Ltd.

www.inspired.pics

Documents

Your life, your choice. Information for carers · 2019-09-20 · Easy read version of Your life your choice. Information for people who need social care support, and for family and