www.awp.nhs.ukenabling and empowering people to reach their potential and live fulfilling lives

Working together

Collaborating with Service Users, Family, Friends and Carers –

The Triangle of Care

Marion Dixon – Carers’ Lead, North Somerset

What is the Triangle of Care1) Triangle of care is the three way partnership between a service

user, their family, carer or other informal support network and the service/team.

2) Triangle of care is also a self-assessment audit using a tool provided by Carers’ Trust.

3) It is a way of improving our partnership working with families and carers.

4) The tool enables us to look in detail at a number of key aspects of partnership working and develop action plans to improve this work.

5) Audits are submitted to the Carers’ Trust who award one or two stars.

First star was for completing audits for inpatient and intensive support teams

AWP have recently been awarded two stars.

Second star extended the audit to community teams

Recovery, Early Intervention, Psychological Therapies

Service, Later Life CIT and Memory

Juniper, Elmham Way, Cove and Dune and IST

The Triangle of Care – Carers Trust1. Carers and the essential role they play are identified at first contact

or as soon as possible thereafter.

2. Staff are ‘carer aware’ and trained in carer engagement strategies.

3. Policy and practice protocols re: confidentiality and sharing information are in place.

4. Defined post(s) responsible for carers are in place.

5. A carer introduction to the service and staff is available, with a relevant range of information across the care pathway.

6. A range of carer support services is available.

RAG Rating system

The assessment utilises a traffic light system to highlight areas of strength and areas for improvement.

Red: Under 50%

Amber: 50% success rate or more

Green: 80% success rate or more

Carers Trust also provide examples of good practice and encourage a “warts and all” approach to the self assessment.

What are we working on as a result of the audits?• Identifying carers early and providing

information.• Routinely asking service users permission

to share information with key people • Making information for carers’ accessible

and relevant.

• Carers champions in each team• Carer awareness training for all teams

using video of carers’ experiences in AWP• Ensuring all staff are aware of resources

for carers and how to refer for carers’ assessments

• Involvement worker developing ways for carers to contribute.

Key points from the Family, Friends and Carers Charter

Experience and

expertise

Information Support

Needs of wider

system

Confidentiality

Risks and crisis

Involvement and planning