Hunt for people to help improve adult social care

5 hours ago

Seb Sargent and Tom EdwardsHereford & Worcester political reporter

BBC Conservative Councillor Carole Gandy, the cabinet member for adult social care at Herefordshire Council, is smiling at the camera - she is wearing a patterned jacket and a red jumper. — Carole Gandy said the council was trying to address the concerns raised by the CQC

A council is searching for 12 members of the public to help improve its adult social care offering - four months after the service was criticised by inspectors.

Herefordshire Council said it wanted to establish a so-called "people's panel" to help guide the department.

Bosses said their first task would be to offer input into supported living schemes and social care in the community.

Councillor Carole Gandy, cabinet member for adult social care, said: "The best people to design better social care services and activities for the future are those who have experience of them, and their carers."

A close-up image of a man sat down, holding a walking stick - his hands are visible, as well as a brown stick, and part of his upper body. He is wearing a white shirt and red braces. — The CQC has said the adult social care service "requires improvement" in Herefordshire

In May inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) gave the authority a rating of "requires improvement" in a critical assessment.

Some elderly people were waiting "a long time" to be assessed and not enough support was being offered to unpaid carers, the watchdog found.

The council said it was looking for local people with "lived experience of adult social care" to help design and improve the service, such as unpaid carers.

As part of the scheme, panel members would be paid to work alongside social care teams in workshops, service reviews and consultation on an ad hoc basis.

Currently more than 6,000 people across Herefordshire require adult social care or support.

"Giving people more flexible activities, based on what they tell us they want is essential to helping people enjoy socialising, make connections, take part in a variety of activities and more," said Gandy.

"Adult social care is often best provided in people's local communities, close to home.

"It means more opportunities for independence and to boost their well-being in many ways."

Residents can apply either by completing an online application form or submitting a short video explaining why they would like to take part.

More details including the application links can be found here.

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.