the new zealand carers’ strategy - ministry of social ... web viewa carer provides care for...

Consultation on the draft

Carers' Strategy Action Plan for 2013 to 2018

The New Zealand Carers’ StrategyInformal and Family carers – a definitionA carer provides care for someone close to them (family or friend) who needs help with everyday living because of ill health or disability. A carer’s effort, understanding and compassion support these people to live with dignity and participate more fully in society.

Carers come from all walks of life and vary in age, ethnicity, culture, and outlook. What they have in common is a shared belief in helping others to have a good quality of life.

Background / contextCaring for people with ill health, a disability, mental illness, an addiction, or frailty is an important contribution to New Zealand’s society. Family or friends undertake much of the care informally and without pay. The proportion of people needing care will rise as New Zealand’s population ages and baby-boomers move into retirement. Medical advances, home-based support services and social policies that encourage people with high support needs to remain in the community will also increase the proportion of people needing informal care.

The Carers’ Strategy was developed through a partnership between government agencies and the New Zealand Carers Alliance (a coalition of over 40 national not for profit organisations). Its purpose is to improve support for family carers. The Carers’ Strategy was launched in 2008 with an Action Plan covering 2008 to 2012.

Carers’ Strategy frameworkThe Carers’ Strategy has a strategic framework with a vision and guiding principles which will be carried forward into the next Action Plan. The Action Plan contains objectives with actions that the Government will undertake to address areas of key priority identified by carers and the Government. Vision New Zealand Aotearoa is a society that values individuals, families, whānau or aiga who support others who need help with their everyday living. This will be achieved when:

• carers have choices and opportunities to participate in family life, social activities, paid employment and education

• carers’ voices are heard in decision-making that affects them.

Principles The Carers’ Strategy provides a framework of principles to guide policy development and the delivery of services by government agencies and non-government organisations that work with carers. These are to:

• recognise diversity• be proactive• enable carers • be inclusive.

Introduction

Consultation on the draft Carers' Strategy Action Plan for 2013 to 2018

There was an extensive consultation on the Carers’ Strategy in 2007 and this helped identify the needs and wants of carers. The feedback provided in 2007 is still relevant today and has helped inform the Action Plan for 2013 to 2018. The following questionnaire is designed to provide you with an opportunity to comment on proposals for the draft Carers’ Strategy Action Plan for 2013 to 2018. The Action Plan takes into account the priorities of the Carers Alliance, a stocktake of progress on the Action Plan for 2008 to 2012, international trends, and Government priorities.

We seek carers’ feedback on: • a proposed new objective: “Increase public awareness and understanding of the

carer’s role” • an amended objective: “Provide training and pathways to paid employment for

carers, and support carers to achieve work/life balance” (originally worded “Provide training and pathways to employment for carers”)

• new actions for all of the objectives.

This questionnaire provides: • some discussion on the context and rationale for each proposal • space for your comments.

A separate consultation process has been undertaken on payment for family carers and is not part of this consultation. Therefore, the draft Action Plan does not include the objective “Provide financial support.”

Feedback can be sent:

• by submitting an online form

• by email to [email protected]

• by post to:The Ministry of Social DevelopmentAttn: Carers’ Strategy Action PlanP O Box 1556Wellington 6140

Feedback needs to be received by 5.00 pm, Friday 2 August 2013


This questionnaire has a number of parts. You can choose to fill out any part that is relevant to you or to answer all of the questions. You can also give additional feedback if you choose.

About YouWe are asking you these questions to help with the overall analysis of responses. Please note that these questions are voluntary and anonymous.

1. Which of these are you?

family/informal carer person supported by a carer paid support worker service provider who may work or interact with carers GP nurse social worker NASC assessor member of an advocacy organisation (please specify which one) other (please specify)

2. Answer this question if you are a family/informal carer, otherwise skip to question 4. How many hours per week do you spend caring?

under 5 hours 5 to 10 hours 10 to 25 hours 25 to 40 hours over 40 hours

3. Answer this question if you are a family/informal carer, otherwise skip to question 4. Do you have paid employment in addition to your caring role?

Yes - part-time employment Yes - fulltime employment Yes - self employed No - no paid employment


4. Are you:

Male Female

5. Which age group are you in?

Under 15 years of age 15 to 20 years of age 21 to 64 years of age 65 to 80 years of age 81 years of age or older

6. Do you identify as: (select all that apply)

New Zealand European Māori Pacific peoples Asian Other (please specify)

7. Would you say you live in:

an urban area a rural centre or rural area

8. Using the map as a guide, approximately where in New Zealand do you live?

Northland Auckland Waikato Taranaki Bay of Plenty East Coast Central Wellington Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Canterbury Southern


PROPOSED NEW OBJECTIVE ONE: Increase public awareness and understanding of the carer’s role

PROPOSED NEW OBJECTIVE ONE: Increase public awareness and understanding of the carer’s role.

CONTEXT / RATIONALE: Carers are often invisible. This has led to a general lack of awareness and understanding of their role. Carers can also be invisible to professionals and others they interact with, so their needs are often not recognised, understood, or met. Hidden carers are those who view their role as a normal part of life and do not see themselves as a carer. Hidden carers are often isolated and without support.

This proposed new objective aims to increase public awareness and understanding of the role of carers by profiling carers and highlighting what they do. Actions under this objective will include encouraging people hidden in caring roles to see themselves as carers and take up support available to them.

Do you support the proposed new objective one?

Yes No

Do you have further comments?


PROPOSED NEW OBJECTIVE ONE: Increase public awareness and understanding of the carer’s role

PROPOSED ACTION 1.1: Develop promotional information resources about carers and their roles.

This will include information targeted to: • the New Zealand public • professionals and others who may work or interact with carers, such as Ministry of Social Development frontline staff and GPs • 'hidden' carers (Lead agency: Ministry of Social Development supported by Carers NZ)

CONTEXT / RATIONALE: This action involves developing and distributing consistent communication and promotional information about who carers are, their various roles, their contribution, and where they can go for information and support. Promotional material would target those who interact with carers and the general public. It would also target hidden carers to encourage self-identification. It would build on and complement promotional material developed by Carers NZ for their carers information packs, Family Care magazine and CarersAir website.

Do you support the proposed action 1.1?

Yes No



Objective Two: Provide information

The focus of this objective is on developing knowledge, understanding and enabling connections to build the capacity of carers and their families and whānau. It supports work under the other objectives for which information, advice and support need to be accessible, relevant, timely, and of a high quality. Baseline information for this purpose already exists but it could be more accessible to carers, their families, whānau, and organisations that work with carers.

PROPOSED ACTION 2.1: Build on the development of an online information centre for carers (CarersAir) (Lead agency: Ministry of Social Development)

CONTEXT / RATIONALE: Online development fits with the Government’s priority for New Zealanders to have digital access to information and services. We would build on the Carers NZ website, CarersAir, which already operates as a national information centre for carers. Resources under other proposed actions could be made accessible through CarersAir.

CarersAir has the potential to operate as: • an information and learning centre: containing specialist knowledge and learning resources from the Carers Alliance and other sources, and promotional and current awareness material on issues of interest to carers • a gateway: leading to other sources of relevant information • a hub: enabling carers (and those who support them) to network and share their information, knowledge and resources, including services such as a respite locator and carers support matching • a clearing house: using the database of carers and organisations for outreach purposes, to distribute information and for surveying and consulting • a monitor and data-collector: enabling the gathering of profile information from groups of carers on their characteristics, aspirations, needs, experiences and ideas, and feeding this information – with the necessary permissions in place – to the Government and other providers for policy and service development.

Other enhancements include interactive learning resources and enabling carers visiting the online centre to select resources and store them in a personal login area for regular review. Importantly, CarersAir will allow carers to make connections and to communicate with others who share similar aspirations, challenges and experiences.

The Carers Alliance identified providing information specifically for young carers as a priority. This is likely to require a different approach, and there are some innovative online developments targeting youth such as headspace.org.nz that could be explored.

Providing information for Māori may also require different approaches, such as effective and meaningful kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face communication) rather than a reliance on written or online material. One option that could be explored under this action is recognition of the marae as a hub of learning and development.



Yes No



Objective Two: Provide information

PROPOSED ACTION 2.2: Develop a knowledge base on the needs of specific groups of carers, such as Māori carers, young carers, older carers, carers of the terminally ill, carers of people with dementia, and grandparents raising ill or disabled grandchildren (Lead agency: Ministry of Social Development)

CONTEXT / RATIONALE: Most carers are family members, and research suggests that the majority of carers are women of working age. However, there are other kinds of carers, such as older people caring for their sick or disabled spouse. There are young carers caring for sick or disabled parents, grandparents or siblings. There are kaumātua caring for members of their whānau. There are also grandparents and great-grandparents caring for sick or disabled grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The impact of caring on the carer varies depending on the type and intensity of care they undertake and their health and personal circumstances.

Developing a knowledge base means improving our understanding of the needs of different groups of carers. The true diversity and numbers of carers are masked by the fact that many remain hidden. These hidden carers are often isolated and without support. Under this action we will be able to use our knowledge base to help us identify hidden carers and develop responses to support them.


Yes No

Which group or groups of carers do you consider we should focus on initially?

Young carers Māori carers Pacific/aiga carers Asian carers Older carers New Settlers Other (please specify)


Why would you choose this group or these groups?



Objective Three: Protect the health and wellbeing of carers

The actions under this objective focus on supporting carers to acquire the capability to undertake their caring role confidently and to keep themselves fit, well and safe.

PROPOSED ACTION 3.1: Work with government and nongovernment agencies to bring together learning and best practice resources and information for carers and make these accessible through the online information centre for carers (CarersAir) (Lead coordinating agency: Ministry of Social Development, with Ministry of Health and Accident Compensation Corporation contributing)

CONTEXT / RATIONALE: This action involves the Ministry of Health, the Accident Compensation Corporation and the Ministry of Social Development working together to identify and collate training and learning best practice resources for supporting carers’ health and wellbeing. There are opportunities to present these resources in more user-friendly ways such as online interactive access, using Youtube and other social media. The resources could be accessible through CarersAir.


Yes No




PROPOSED ACTION 3.2: Develop and deliver learning and wellbeing resources designed to meet the current needs of carers, families, and whānau (Lead agency: Ministry of Health)

CONTEXT / RATIONALE: Following a review of Ministry of Health funded programmes for training carers, a set of practical learning and wellbeing resources and guidelines is being developed, containing current, user-friendly carer information on specific topics. The resources will take a number of forms including online downloadable documents and interactive demonstration videos. They will also be available in booklets to carers through learning and wellbeing training. Resource topics include relationship and communication skills and financial management.


Yes No




PROPOSED ACTION 3.3: Develop resources including Moving and Handling Guidelines for Homecare, for integration into the national learning and wellbeing programme for carers (Lead agency: Accident Compensation Corporation)

CONTEXT / RATIONALE: This work will be part of a wider Accident Compensation Corporation initiative to strengthen quality assurance for Accident Compensation Corporation clients who have informal carers. It will focus on injury prevention, and resources will be incorporated into the wider national learning and wellbeing programme (proposed Action 3.1) being led by the Ministry of Health.


Yes No



Objective Four: Enable carers to take a break

The actions under this objective aim to provide families and carers with more choice and flexibility for taking breaks.

PROPOSED ACTION 4.1: Develop a range of respite options that give disabled people and their families, whānau and aiga more choice and flexibility in accessing respite care. This includes:

developing flexible short break options for families that have children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

trialling a new respite model that will offer flexibility and increased respite choices for families the trial is based in Nelson/Marlborough and is due to be completed in November 2013

• exploring the development of an online carer matching service providing additional assistance with recruiting relief carers (Lead agency: Ministry of

Health)

CONTEXT / RATIONALE: Support to help the carer take a break includes formal out-of-home services like rest homes, respite houses and school camps. It also includes the Carer Support Subsidy, which goes towards some of the daily cost of the carer’s breaks. A carer may get both of these types of help, depending on their needs and the services in their area. An assessment determines the number of days that will be paid for. Carers’ breaks can be for a short period (half a day or longer, including overnight) or for several weeks.

Trends in New Zealand and overseas indicate an increasing focus, by governments and carers, on more flexible options for carers to take a break. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder do not always respond well to traditional forms of respite, and the Ministry of Health is investigating different options for these families. The flexible respite service being trialled in Nelson/Marlborough, led by the Ministry of Health, is already under way and due to be completed in November 2013. The online carer matching service will facilitate carers’ search for suitable support when they wish to take a break. There will be opportunities to bring information on respite care and carer support initiatives together and make them available through CarersAir.


Yes No



Proposed amended Objective Five: Provide training and pathways to paid employment for carers, and support carers to achieve work/life balance

PROPOSED AMENDED OBJECTIVE FIVE: Provide training and pathways to paid employment for carers, and support carers to achieve work/life balance.

CONTEXT / RATIONALE: Many carers report that they have had to give up their careers and well-paid jobs to undertake their caring role. While managing paid employment with caring responsibilities can be difficult, remaining in paid work can have a positive impact on carers. Paid work provides income and can help to maintain social networks, offer temporary relief from caring, and support self-development.

This objective was originally “Provide training and pathways to employment for carers”, reflecting a need for formal training and recognition of qualifications for carers. We propose to amend this to “Provide training and pathways to paid employment for carers, and support carers to achieve work/life balance” so that the objective includes not just support for those carers wanting training and pathways to enter or return to paid work, but those wanting to remain in paid work. The intention is to broaden the objective to include the work being undertaken by Carers NZ with the Employers for Caring group, the proposed extended provisions of Part 6AA of the Employment Relations Act 2000, and other initiatives to support carers wishing to enter, remain in or return to paid employment.

Employers’ positive and supportive attitudes toward carers, and flexible working arrangements that help to accommodate their caregiving needs, will make a significant difference to carers, their families, and the people they care for. The proposed amended objective strengthens the focus on promoting flexible, supportive working arrangements for carers who wish to be in or enter paid work, and it will complement other objectives in the draft Action Plan that cover support for carers’ life needs, such as: • professional development, training, and learning resources for supporting carers’ health and wellbeing • provision of information and support, including respite services, that assist carers to participate in family life, social activities, and education, as well as employment.

Do you support the proposed amended objective five?

Yes No




PROPOSED ACTION 5.1: Implement the extension of flexible working arrangements (Lead agency: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment)

CONTEXT / RATIONALE: Part 6AA (flexible working arrangements) of the Employment Relations Act 2000 (the Act) currently provides that employees are entitled to make a request for flexible working arrangements after six months of service if they have responsibility for the care of any person.

Proposed changes to Part 6AA include extending the provisions to all employees and allowing employees to request flexible work arrangements from the beginning of their employment. This will improve access for all employees and better support labour market participation. The Minister of Labour intends to introduce legislation to amend the Act to give effect to these changes on flexible working arrangements.


Yes No




PROPOSED ACTION 5.2: Provide information on flexible working arrangements (Lead agency: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment)

CONTEXT / RATIONALE: The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will provide information and raise awareness on the extended provisions (when they come into force) and the benefits of flexible working arrangements to employees and employers.


Yes No




PROPOSED ACTION 5.3: In partnership with Carers NZ, develop a programme for employers to use for supporting staff with caring responsibilities. This could include adapting the New Zealand “Staying On” initiative and the Australian Care Aware Workplaces initiative to suit New Zealand employers (Lead agency: Ministry of Social Development)

CONTEXT / RATIONALE: The Ministry of Social Development's Child Youth and Family “Staying On” programme assists managers and staff to explore options such as career development, professional revitalisation and flexi options to enable staff to manage competing demands, and achieve work life balance and healthier lifestyles. There are opportunities for the Ministry of Social Development and Carers NZ to adapt this programme to give a stronger focus on carers and to extend its availability across the Ministry of Social Development.

There may also be opportunities to adapt “Staying On” as a resource for Carers NZ’s partnerships with employers groups, such as the Employment for Caring coalition, who encourage flexible working arrangements to keep carers in work. Information and resources prepared under this objective could be made available through CarersAir.

Care Aware Workplaces is an Australian initiative designed to improve paid employment arrangements and work-life balance for carers. It is a no-cost, voluntary, self-managed programme open to all Australian businesses and workplaces. By becoming a “Care Aware” workplace, an organisation is publicly acknowledged as a carer friendly workplace. The initiative helps ensure carers have opportunities at work and the ability to better balance their work and caring roles. Under this action, the Ministry of Social Development and Carers NZ will explore adapting this initiative to the New Zealand context.


Yes No



Do you have any other comments?

Thank you for your feedback.


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