Chief social worker calls on carers to get involved in reform of adult care

Northern Ireland’s Chief Social Worker, Sean Holland, has today called on carers to get involved in discussions on the reform of Adult Care.

His call was made as the Department of Health announced the start of recruitment of family carers to join an Independent Expert Carers Panel as part of the Reform of Adult Care and Support project.

The Panel will be made up of 20 carers from across Northern Ireland. The Department is seeking a broad range of carers who have cared for family members, friends or neighbours who have needed support because of their age, mental health or physical, sensory or learning disability.

Sean Holland said: “Every day in Northern Ireland thousands of carers provide support to loved ones family members, friends and neighbours. Carers play a vital role within health and social care and it is essential that the voice of carers is central to discussions on reform.

“The Independent Expert Carers Panel, designed by carers themselves, is an innovative and exciting way of achieving this. I would encourage all those who have cared for a loved one to consider getting involved.

“In December 2017, the Department published the report of the Expert Advisory Panel on Adult Care and Support, ‘Power to People: proposals to reboot adult care and support in NI’. As we develop a response to Power to People, the establishment of the Independent Expert Carers Panel is another key step in the process of shaping future reform.”

Further information on the Independent Expert Carers Panel, including a recruitment pack, is available on the Department’s website at: www.health-ni.gov.uk/reformingcare . Recruitment will close on 10 August 2018 with all expressions of interest reviewed by a recruitment panel.