Carers and Commissioning

Carers in Partnership is committed to helping carers develop mutually effective relationships with the key local health and social care commissioners. The aims are that carers have a fair opportunity to present their view of local needs and hopes for these services and that commissioners are comfortable to respect and accept these views.

A working group of carers has produced a briefing paper which offers guidance to carers and commissioners in involving carers in commissioning processes.

With the ever growing importance of effective and values-based commissioning and effective outcomes, it is likely that this working group will be re-formed so that ongoing support and advice can be given to active carers. So if you are interested in this topic and would like to consider joining a working group, please contact us.

Good Practice in evidence

Carers in Partnership members have reported a number of instances of good practice around the region.  These include:

• A Framework For Presenting Carer Priorities To Mental Health Commissioners from South Warwickshire
• Commissioning Arrangements In Shropshire
• Stoke Carers Bring About The Rise Of The Phoenix

To read more about these, follow this link

Hints for Carers when Engaging with Commissioners

 These are some hints for carers when first engaging with Commissioners from an active carer from Warwickshire

• Get the carer priority agenda together before meeting commissioners
• Try and work out what is going to be important to the commissioners

• Ask them to provide useful and relevant information for carers

• Give them things which help them in their work i.e. find common goals

• Invite them to explain the key issues they face and their implications

• Ask what they are seeking from carers

• Be precise about what action carers would like to see to improve things

• Find the means of talking to commissioners outside/ between formal meeting

If you have any examples of good practice in your area please contact us.