The bulletin below was released by the Social Care Institute for Excellence on 23rd October 2012.
Whilst aimed at all those seeking information, the families and carers of persons with a learning disability may find this a useful resource. The Care Provider Search utility within the Find Me Good Care website may be especiallyhelpful. (Tip: use ‘learning disability’ as the search filter). Users of this resource should however bear in mind that it has been developed ‘in consultation with care providers and councils as well as people using care and carers’.
Find Me Good Care launches to demystify care system
Today, SCIE launches Find Me Good Care to help people find the right care and support to suit their needs and lifestyle, whether at a time of crisis, as they plan for the future or as they change care services.
Find Me Good Care is a comprehensive source of adult social care information and advice, combined with a searchable, comparable directory of care and support services.
Find Me Good Care offers care and support providers the opportunity to promote their services – including those that do not have to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – through a well-regarded and promoted online service.
Find Me Good Care has been developed in consultation with care providers, councils, people using care and carers. The 70 advice and information topics have been written and quality-assured by care experts and the service has broad sector support including: English Community Care Association, Community Catalysts, the National Care Forum, UK Home Care Association and Voluntary Organisations Disability Group, as well as leading voluntary organisations including Carers UK, Turning Point, Mind and Action on Hearing Loss.
The launch of the site is being supported by Virginia Wade, former Wimbledon Champion, who has spoken for the first time about her experience of seeking care for her mother:“For every one of us, there is a moment when someone very near and dear to us needs extra help.”
Survey reveals public confused by care system
SCIE commissioned a survey of 2,075 adults in Britain to assess their knowledge of the care and support system. The survey, carried out by Populus revealed:
59 per cent of those surveyed don’t know what types of care and support are available to them and 66 per cent of those surveyed have no idea how much care provision costs
69 per cent of those surveyed say that they are likely to leave making care decisions until they need to and only 15 per cent are planning ahead for themselves or their family
23 per cent of those surveyed already using care provision in the UK said that finding care was a challenge and 23 per cent said that they ended up with inappropriate care.
50 per cent were not confident knowing what service would suit their needs
72 per cent of those surveyed think there is a need for better guidance on care and support
83 per cent would welcome a site that helps them understand what their options are
Many people have negative associations with care and are apprehensive about needing support – over half of all adults (53%), rising to over two thirds of 55 to 64 year olds (67%) say they are nervous about care or support and nearly half worry about how they will pay for care (46%).