Care Service

About the Care Service

The Care Service provides support through trained Carer Support Workers who take over the caring responsibility for a period of time, to help carers manage their care duties or give carers a break.

Who are Carer Support Workers?

Carer Support Workers will undertake tasks carried out by carers and will do so following appropriate training which will be specific to the requirements of the person with care needs.

The work of Carer Support Workers typically involves assistance with personal care tasks, such as helping with bathing, feeding, mobility or in the administration of prescribed medicines. We may also be able to help with specialised care tasks.

Carer Support Workers have access to a manager 24 hours a day, seven days per week for consultation and advice. We currently employ over 30 Carer Support Workers. Many have worked with us for several years and have an average length of service for 5 years.

Over 50% of Carer Support Workers have completed National Vocational Qualifications level 2 in Social Care and we are actively working towards this qualification being the minimum standard for all Carer Support Workers. Some Carer Support Workers are undertaking of have completed NVQ 3 in Social Care.

What services can the Care Service offer?

The Care Service has developed a range of specialist additional support services which include:

Working with children with physical disabilities, learning disabilities or behavioural disorders.
Working in partnership with palliative care services to provide intensive care services for people with rapidly deteriorating illnesses.
Providing rapid response services to assist discharge from hospital or to prevent hospitalisation.
Working with a broad range of adults who have mental health problems and psychiatric illnesses, substance and alcohol abuse.
Providing support for people with specific genetic conditions.
Assisting with the care of older people who are physically frail and infirm and / or suffering from dementia or mental ill health.
Providing support to adults with learning disability.
Voucher services - providing additional services for carers by sending them Vouchers for care which they can use at a time they choose.
"Taking Out Services" whereby people with care needs are supported to attend social opportunities or recreational pursuits.

What tasks can Carer Support Workers do?

Carers may provide care of a very complex nature. Gateshead Crossroads Caring for Carers ensures that Carer Support Workers are well trained to provide basic and specialised tasks.

Carer Support Workers provide care which includes:

Basic Tasks

Supporting the person with care needs by:

Bathing - including care of skin and hair and electric shaving.
Care of mouth, teeth and dentures.
Dressing and undressing.
Assisting with mobilisations and transfer, including use of specialised equipment.
Feeding.
The management of bowel and bladder.
Administration of medication both orally and topically.
Emotional and social support.
Summoning of emergency services.
Ensuring a safe environment in line with our Health and Safety Policy.

Specialist Tasks

On occasions, Carer Support Workers are asked to undertake tasks which may be considered by our insurers to be specialist. In such circumstances, the tasks may be undertaken following an appropriate risk assessment and only after specific training.

Some tasks described as specialised may include:

Oxygen administration.
Assisting with artificial feeding.
Administration of rectal medication.
Midazolam / Lorasopam nasal and buccal inhalers.
Tracheotomy care.
Assistance with eye and ear drops.
Catheter care - changing - monitoring output.
Assisting with operation of inhalers.
Monitoring metered dosage devices.

Carer Support Workers will not undertake tasks that require skills and expertise of clinical specialists.

How to access the service

You can make a referral yourself by contacting us. We also receive referrals from:

Gateshead Council - Community Based Services (Social Services) including Children's Services, Disability Services, Services for Older People and Mental Health Services.
Gateshead Health NHS Trust and Gateshead Primary Care Trust regarding people of all ages and conditions. Sometimes we assist in supporting people from hospital to home or by helping them stay independent at home and avoid their need for hospital admission.
Other organisations involved with people from Gateshead may make a referral to us for you.

Professionals wishing to refer a client download a referral form. You may wish to contact us first for advice.

What happens next?

When we receive a refferal, a Care Co-ordinator will arrange to meet with both of you and the person you care for. This is order to understand your needs and to discuss the range of services Gateshead Crossroads Caring for Carers can provide and how we can meet your needs.

If we can help, the Care Co-ordinator will agree with you and the person you care for the details of the service and when the service will take place.

In order to ensur the health and safety pf the person you care for, yourself and the member of staff involved, all agreed tasks will be risk assessed by a Care Co-ordinator.

Downloadable Care Service Information

Below are documents you can download which will help you to find out more about the Care Service:

Care Service User Guide contains information about the Care Service including what happens after making a referral and frequently asked questions.
The Mental Health Service for Carers leaflet provides more information about the services we provide to people with mental health issues.

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