Priority 6 - Crisis Management

Though many carers manage their caring responsibilities independently of help from statutory agencies and have established family networks whom they can call on in a crisis, some do not have robust contingency arrangements and may need support. We and our partners will endeavour to provide support to help carers to plan effectively should a crisis occur and provide a prompt response and support in the event of such an eventuality. To achieve this, we will:

1.  Have arrangements in place to help carers to plan for a crisis, using their own resources wherever possible;
2. Ensure that carers know where they can get help in the event of a crisis and our respite offer is clear;
3. Ensure that carers who are eligible can access a break from caring and provide this in a cost-effective manner, doing the best we can within the resources available;
4. Ensure that professionals working with families deploy a whole family approach, can recognise a potential crisis and help to put arrangements in place to prevent one occurring;
5. Have robust arrangements so that, in the event of a crisis, responses from Social Care and the NHS are prompt, provide reassurance and respect the feelings of the carer and the person they care for;
6. Make sure that the carer is involved, where practicable, (and the person they care for has capacity and consents) in any forward planning once the crisis situation has subsided;
7. Make safeguarding a priority at all times.