Local support services

Local support services

• Care co-ordinators

  Care coordinators work within GP practices in Derbyshire as part of the Community Support Team (CST).

  The main role of care coordinators is to help to avoid unplanned and inappropriate hospital admissions.

  They liaise with health colleagues, social care and other professionals to coordinate the care of patients who are identified as being at ‘high risk’ of their current situation deteriorating and who may benefit from a multi-agency approach (different agencies working closely together).

  Care coordinators often oversee referrals to other agencies and analyse available data (e.g. frequent attendees to A&E or out of hours services) to try and find solutions.

  Anyone can contact their care coordinator in their GP Practice and make a self-referral or refer a relative. People may also be referred to their care coordinator by statutory and voluntary organisations.

• Local Area Coordination

  Local Area Coordination is a way of supporting people with disabilities, mental health issues, older people and their families and carers to live fulfilling lives and stay strong, safe and well connected with their local communities.

  Coordinators help you to find your own local solutions, rather than trying to fit you in with an existing service, which you may not actually want. They will take time to listen and get to know you and your community well, over time – building a more personal, positive, trusting relationship with you.

  They will:

  • Listen to your vision of a good life – what would make your life better and the steps needed to achieve this
  • Support you to access information and advice
  • Help you identify your strengths, skills and abilities
  • Help you become more resilient, connected and involved in your community
  • Support you to meet new people or reconnect with others
  • Help you to get your voice heard, for example, to speak to organisations/ professionals.

  Currently due to Covid-19 the Local Area Coordination is operating a reduced service, if you would like further information please contact the service.

  For further information visit: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/lac or Telephone: 01629 532049

• Derbyshire First Contact Signposting Scheme

  First Contact is a free service for adults living in Derbyshire. By filling in one simple form you can be referred to a number of different organisations who can offer services, information and/or advice to support your independence, health and wellbeing. The scheme is managed by Derbyshire County Council Adult Care in partnership with other statutory and voluntary sector partners.

  Services that can be accessed through First Contact

  We work with a variety of statutory and voluntary sector organisations who can provide help and/or advice about:

  • Staying safe and secure at home
  • Housing support – repairs, warm homes advice and housing options
  • Social and recreational activities
  • Work, learning, volunteering and income
  • Families and relationships
  • Health and wellbeing.

  Partners include borough/district councils, housing associations, health services, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue, Derbyshire County Council in-house services and voluntary organisations.

  The scheme works by using a series of questions to find out what sort of help, advice and services you could benefit from.

  You can find out more information here: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/firstcontact  or contact via email first.contact@derbyshire.gov.uk or call 01628 532503.

• Adult Social Care and Health information

  We aim to provide information and advice to support your wellbeing and help you stay independent for as long as possible. If we are not able to help you directly, we can put you in contact with other groups such as health, housing or voluntary sector organisations, who may be able to do so.

  We provide a range of information leaflets about Adult Care services. You can download or order printed copies of these using our website order form at: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/careinfo  

  You can also find our leaflets at our area offices, in libraries, some GP surgeries and other community venues around the county.

  If you need information in alternate format such as large print, audio, easy read or another language, you can request this through the website order form or call 01629 532237.

• Carers in Derbyshire website

  Three in five of us will be an unpaid/family carer at some stage in our lives, whether it’s looking after a partner, parent, sibling, other relative or friend.

  Caring can be rewarding but it can also be very tough, so it’s important that carers get the support, advice and information they need.

  The Carers in Derbyshire website was developed by a partnership of unpaid carers, Adult Care, health providers and voluntary sector organisations such as Derbyshire Carers Association.

  The website aims to be a one-stop-shop for carers who want to find out about the support available to them. The website features a searchable directory of local services such as support groups, social activities and information services. The website also has information about Carers Assessments, Carer Personal Budgets, help in a crisis, emergency planning and getting a break from caring.

  You can visit the website at: www.carersinderbyshire.org.uk  and follow on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/carersinderbyshire