PLEDGE WATCH 31

"We will increase the range and choice of support for carers at home by increasing the amount of respite care and increasing the number of carers' assistants by 100 per cent."

SWINDON Council will launch a plan next month to protect the rights and conditions of carers.

The plan is the first part of the council's Promise 31.

The Swindon Carers Strategy will give in-home carers, many of whom are unrecognised volunteers in their own homes, the same protection as employees.

Council cabinet member David Renard said the plan aimed to ensure carers received appropriate breaks and pay.

Improving the lot of carers means people who need help in their own homes will get better treatment.

Included in the plan are the council, Avon and Wiltshire NHS Trust, Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust, Swindon Primary Care Trust and Swindon Carers Centre.

Coun Renard said the council was trying to protect carers, making sure they get paid for the work they do and making sure they get their breaks.

The strategy will include safeguarding the health of carers with all-round support, short breaks, better information and a financial help line.

"The strategy is not just about people who are employed to do a caring task," said Coun Renard (Con, Haydon Wick) "It's about people who need to look after their own and who want to care for them.

"Only by involving carers can their needs be really understood.

"All agencies must make sure that they listen to carers, as individuals, and as representative groups.

"Carers must be involved at the outset for this strategy to be beneficial to them."

Coun Renard said the plan was aimed at improving care through a better deal for carers.

He said the council was in the early stages of doubling the number of carers it assesses.

He added council officers were in direct contact with carers and have strong links with the Swindon Carers Centre.

One of the recent changes in the council's social care area has been a new Meals on Wheels contract.

Contractor Agincare took over the service in May and has promised to meet the nutritional standards set by the National Associations of Care Catering.

The council said the contractor also offered more meal choices.

EACH week the Swindon Advertiser is looking at a different pledge, studying the reasons behind the promise and assessing progress.

  • The first 15 pledges centre around "your council" and the way it serves Swindon.
  • Pledges 16 to 28 focus on "your culture, leisure and learning" with targets including improving school exam results and building a library.
  • Pledges 29 to 34 cover social service issues under the heading "your children, your family the people who matter".
  • Pledges 35 to 44 are about "your town", looking at town centre regeneration and improving other areas of the town.
  • Pledges 45 to 50 are about "your communities," covering crime and recycling