How Local Help My Way Is Already Making a Difference
There is a lot of discussion about the future of adult social care in England.
New government plans focus on helping people stay well, live independently and receive more care and support at home. These ideas are not new to Local Help My Way. We are already putting many of them into practice across Staffordshire.
What has the government announced?
On 29 July, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that the independent review of adult social care, led by Baroness Louise Casey, would be completed a year earlier than planned.
The review will look at creating a National Care Service and improving how social care and the NHS work together. The government has also promised to look at pay, training and career opportunities for care workers.
The main aims are to:
- provide more support at home;
- prevent people reaching a crisis;
- join up health and social care;
- improve hospital discharge; and
- provide care based on each person’s needs.
These plans will not change social care straight away. The review is still taking place and important decisions about funding and delivery have not yet been made.
However, the plans support much of what Local Help My Way is already doing.
How Local Help My Way supports people
Local Help My Way helps people find trusted, verified carers and support workers in Staffordshire.
Our micro providers are self-employed carers, support workers and small local organisations. They can offer personal care, companionship, meal preparation, shopping, transport, cleaning, gardening, rehabilitation and support with social activities.
People can access our database of verified micro providers. We also offer help and advice to find someone who matches their needs and preferences.
Local Help My Way is still a pilot, so choice is limited in some parts of Staffordshire. However, as more micro providers join the scheme, the local care market is opening up. This is giving people access to a wider range of personalised care and support at home.
We also help micro providers meet important standards. This includes verification, safeguarding, training, suitable documents and ongoing mentoring.
Supporting independence and preventing a crisis
Good social care is not only about completing tasks. It should help people live the life they choose.
A few hours of local support can help someone prepare meals, regain confidence after leaving hospital, attend appointments or take part in their community. Companionship can also reduce loneliness and give unpaid family carers a much-needed break.
This early support can help people stay independent and may prevent some needs from becoming more serious.
How we fit with local NHS plans
The government’s Neighbourhood Health Framework says health and care services should be built around people rather than organisations. It supports more prevention, personalised care and joined-up services in local communities.
NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB and NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB are now working together as a cluster. Their shared plans include:
- moving more care from hospitals into communities;
- helping people stay well for longer;
- developing local neighbourhood teams;
- reducing health inequalities; and
- improving how health, social care and community organisations work together.
Local Help My Way fits well with these aims. Micro providers are based in local communities and understand the needs of the people who live there. They can offer flexible and consistent support while working alongside NHS, council and community services.
Local Help My Way is not a care agency or a clinical service. It is an introductory platform that helps people find local carers and support workers.
What could the changes mean for us?
The government’s focus on care at home, prevention and local services could create more opportunities for micro providers.
Stronger links with NHS neighbourhood teams, social prescribers, hospital discharge services and Direct Payments could help more people access support before they reach a crisis.
However, future plans must include self-employed carers and micro providers as well as larger care organisations. New national or regional structures must also protect local knowledge, small providers and personal choice.
Already making change happen
Through Local Help My Way, Support Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, our micro providers and community partners are already building local care and support in Staffordshire.
We are helping people find support that fits their lives, while giving local people the opportunity to build sustainable micro-provider businesses.
National social care plans may take time to develop. Local Help My Way alongside many other similar projects across the UK is already showing what local, flexible and person-led support can look like in practice.
