This policy brief is based on the workshop held at Queen’s University Belfast to explore grandparents’ experiences of kinship care from different perspectives, including research, policy and personal experience. It summarises the main issues from the presentations and examines the themes that emerged from the discussions. These cover: gender roles, financial pressures and taking on the role of kinship carer unexpectedly. The briefing shows that kinship carers provide a valuable resource to families and that any barriers or inequalities carers face must be recognised and tackled. The workshop discussions also show that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach does not work in kinship care, because each situation is so unique. It calls for more progress to support older kingship carers in the UK, especially older male carers which are missing from policy debates.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This policy brief is based on the workshop held at Queen’s University Belfast to explore grandparents’ experiences of kinship care from different perspectives, including research, policy and personal experience. It summarises the main issues from the presentations and examines the themes that emerged from the discussions. These cover: gender roles, financial pressures and taking on the role of kinship carer unexpectedly. The briefing shows that kinship carers provide a valuable resource to families and that any barriers or inequalities carers face must be recognised and tackled. The workshop discussions also show that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach does not work in kinship care, because each situation is so unique. It calls for more progress to support older kingship carers in the UK, especially older male carers which are missing from policy debates.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
kinship care, older people, grandparents, foster care, access to services;
NORTHERN IRELAND. Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
Publisher:
Northern Ireland. Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
Publication year:
2015
Pagination:
118
Place of publication:
Belfast
This consultation sets out policy proposals to protect adults and young people aged 16 years and over from discrimination on the basis of age in relation to goods, facilities and services, charities, premises, education, public functions, and private clubs and associations. The scope of the proposals is therefore broader than goods, facilities and services alone. The proposals also cover health and social care and financial services, setting out the evidence of current discriminatory practice, scope and exceptions of proposals and how these would work in practice. The consultation ends on 8 October 2015.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This consultation sets out policy proposals to protect adults and young people aged 16 years and over from discrimination on the basis of age in relation to goods, facilities and services, charities, premises, education, public functions, and private clubs and associations. The scope of the proposals is therefore broader than goods, facilities and services alone. The proposals also cover health and social care and financial services, setting out the evidence of current discriminatory practice, scope and exceptions of proposals and how these would work in practice. The consultation ends on 8 October 2015.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
age discrimination, stereotyped attitudes, young people, older people, access to services;
This research examined the law in other countries to see how they protect people against discrimination on the grounds of age when accessing goods, facilities or services. The aim was to see if similar laws should be implemented in Northern Ireland. Chapter 1 explains the legal, social and political background to the research project, including developments in England and Wales and at the level of the European Union. Chapter 2 sets out the findings that emerged from the research, based on a study of the laws operating in the four countries examined in detail (Republic of Ireland, Canada, the United States of America, and Australia). Chapter 3 provides a brief summary of the recommendations based on the research findings. The report concludes that there is a very strong case for amending the law of Northern Ireland so as to outlaw discrimination on age grounds when people are accessing goods, facilities or services. Appendices are included which provide an overview of the law in the four countries studied and details of the scope of protection provided.
This research examined the law in other countries to see how they protect people against discrimination on the grounds of age when accessing goods, facilities or services. The aim was to see if similar laws should be implemented in Northern Ireland. Chapter 1 explains the legal, social and political background to the research project, including developments in England and Wales and at the level of the European Union. Chapter 2 sets out the findings that emerged from the research, based on a study of the laws operating in the four countries examined in detail (Republic of Ireland, Canada, the United States of America, and Australia). Chapter 3 provides a brief summary of the recommendations based on the research findings. The report concludes that there is a very strong case for amending the law of Northern Ireland so as to outlaw discrimination on age grounds when people are accessing goods, facilities or services. Appendices are included which provide an overview of the law in the four countries studied and details of the scope of protection provided.
Subject terms:
law, older people, access to services, age discrimination, anti-discriminatory practice;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
Canada, Australia, Ireland, Northern Ireland, United States
REGULATION AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY, HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES COUNCILS OF NORTHERN IRELAND
Publisher:
Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority
Publication year:
2008
Pagination:
55p.
Place of publication:
Belfast
Reports on the findings of an audit which aimed to report on access to: advocacy services for older people in publicly funded places in care homes; assess the current extent of available advocacy services; identify strengths and weaknesses in current arrangements; highlight best practice; and support improvement by identifying a way forward. Methods to gather information included: questionnaires to care homes; focus groups of relatives and residents; and a reference group for stakeholders. Recommendations are presented.
Reports on the findings of an audit which aimed to report on access to: advocacy services for older people in publicly funded places in care homes; assess the current extent of available advocacy services; identify strengths and weaknesses in current arrangements; highlight best practice; and support improvement by identifying a way forward. Methods to gather information included: questionnaires to care homes; focus groups of relatives and residents; and a reference group for stakeholders. Recommendations are presented.
Subject terms:
older people, user views, access to services, advocacy, carers, care homes;
NORTHERN IRELAND. Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Publisher:
Northern Ireland. Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Publication year:
2008
Pagination:
19p.
Place of publication:
Belfast
The need for an inspection of Social Care Support Services for Carers of Older People in Northern Ireland was identified during the consultation on the former Social Services Inspectorate's inspection programme for 2002-2005. The inspection continued into 2006. The reports arising from the inspection identify many areas of good practice and good quality work undertaken by highly motivated staff. The reports have sought to identify both what is working well and where improvements are still needed. The reports, with their recommendations to Boards and Trusts and their partner Agencies, together with the draft standards and other initiatives from DHSSPS, provide a clear and coherent framework for the future provision of robust, high quality support for carers. Support for carers is a central policy objective for the Department. The final Standards for Adult Social Care Support Services for Carers were issued in July 2008 and will complement other published standards with regard to practice and social care service provision. The standards will be of use to Commissioners and Providers of social care support services for carers; social care workers; regulatory and training providers and most importantly to carers and their representative groups to inform them of what they can and should reasonably expect from social care support services and from the organisations and practitioners commissioning and providing them.
The need for an inspection of Social Care Support Services for Carers of Older People in Northern Ireland was identified during the consultation on the former Social Services Inspectorate's inspection programme for 2002-2005. The inspection continued into 2006. The reports arising from the inspection identify many areas of good practice and good quality work undertaken by highly motivated staff. The reports have sought to identify both what is working well and where improvements are still needed. The reports, with their recommendations to Boards and Trusts and their partner Agencies, together with the draft standards and other initiatives from DHSSPS, provide a clear and coherent framework for the future provision of robust, high quality support for carers. Support for carers is a central policy objective for the Department. The final Standards for Adult Social Care Support Services for Carers were issued in July 2008 and will complement other published standards with regard to practice and social care service provision. The standards will be of use to Commissioners and Providers of social care support services for carers; social care workers; regulatory and training providers and most importantly to carers and their representative groups to inform them of what they can and should reasonably expect from social care support services and from the organisations and practitioners commissioning and providing them.
Subject terms:
inspection, older people, social care provision, standards, access to services, carers;
NORTHERN IRELAND. Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
Publisher:
Northern Ireland. Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
Publication year:
2005
Pagination:
38p.
Place of publication:
Belfast
As part of the Promoting Social Inclusion (PSI) initiative of New Targeting Social Need (TSN), a commitment was given in the Programme for Government that the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) would establish a Working Group to consider the factors that cause Older People to be at risk of exclusion. The PSI Working Group on Older People was established in 2002 and was made up of representatives from Northern Ireland departments, the wider public sector, the voluntary sector and organisations representing older people. This document sets out the approach to be taken by Government to promote and support the inclusion of older people in Northern Ireland. An action plan for the financial year 2005/06 has been established and will be actioned during the course of the year.
As part of the Promoting Social Inclusion (PSI) initiative of New Targeting Social Need (TSN), a commitment was given in the Programme for Government that the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) would establish a Working Group to consider the factors that cause Older People to be at risk of exclusion. The PSI Working Group on Older People was established in 2002 and was made up of representatives from Northern Ireland departments, the wider public sector, the voluntary sector and organisations representing older people. This document sets out the approach to be taken by Government to promote and support the inclusion of older people in Northern Ireland. An action plan for the financial year 2005/06 has been established and will be actioned during the course of the year.
Subject terms:
older people, policy, social inclusion, access to services, age discrimination, ageing;
The social needs of frail or isolated older people are sometimes aided by referrals to day centres in the United Kingdom. Since the late 1940s, day centres have had a role to play promoting socialisation in later life. Additionally, attendance at day centres is often open ended, with participants only leaving due to moving to a nursing home or dying. In this study, the views of those attending time-limited day centre programmes in seven day centres in Northern Ireland have been sought in relation to their thoughts about the service as well as how they feel when it ends. Seventeen participants completed diaries for the programme duration and/or engaged in an interview process. Participants reflected on the social and educational benefits of attending but also recognised impositions in the centres that impinged upon individual choices and also the length of time they could remain. This study reveals that, in order to maintain socialisation, time-limited programmes must have clear follow-on strategies for participants. Additionally, respondents’ experiences reflect that a paternalistic model of care delivery remains in place that, whilst restrictive, reveals that access to the service is more specialised and not universal. Nevertheless, should day centres wish to remain relevant, it is important that service users are fully consulted about their desires and choices within the setting.
(Edited publisher abstract)
The social needs of frail or isolated older people are sometimes aided by referrals to day centres in the United Kingdom. Since the late 1940s, day centres have had a role to play promoting socialisation in later life. Additionally, attendance at day centres is often open ended, with participants only leaving due to moving to a nursing home or dying. In this study, the views of those attending time-limited day centre programmes in seven day centres in Northern Ireland have been sought in relation to their thoughts about the service as well as how they feel when it ends. Seventeen participants completed diaries for the programme duration and/or engaged in an interview process. Participants reflected on the social and educational benefits of attending but also recognised impositions in the centres that impinged upon individual choices and also the length of time they could remain. This study reveals that, in order to maintain socialisation, time-limited programmes must have clear follow-on strategies for participants. Additionally, respondents’ experiences reflect that a paternalistic model of care delivery remains in place that, whilst restrictive, reveals that access to the service is more specialised and not universal. Nevertheless, should day centres wish to remain relevant, it is important that service users are fully consulted about their desires and choices within the setting.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
day services, day centres, user views, service users, older people, social networks, access to services, choice, user satisfaction;
This report focuses on the role of occupational therapists in providing preventative services to help older people to remain independent and live in their own communities for as long as possible, preventing or delaying the need for expensive care long-term. The report focuses on three main areas: prevention or delaying the need for care and support, helping older people to remain in their communities and ensuring equality of access to occupational therapy. Three service examples are included to demonstrate the impact of occupational therapists contribution. These include the role of occupational therapists in falls prevention service and in prescribing GPS service for people with dementia. Recommendations to improve the design and delivery of services include for occupational therapists to work more closely with general practitioners, take on leadership roles to provide expertise to community providers on the development of person and community centred services; and the development of formal partnership agreements across local housing, health and social care sectors to ensure all older people have access to occupational therapy services.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report focuses on the role of occupational therapists in providing preventative services to help older people to remain independent and live in their own communities for as long as possible, preventing or delaying the need for expensive care long-term. The report focuses on three main areas: prevention or delaying the need for care and support, helping older people to remain in their communities and ensuring equality of access to occupational therapy. Three service examples are included to demonstrate the impact of occupational therapists contribution. These include the role of occupational therapists in falls prevention service and in prescribing GPS service for people with dementia. Recommendations to improve the design and delivery of services include for occupational therapists to work more closely with general practitioners, take on leadership roles to provide expertise to community providers on the development of person and community centred services; and the development of formal partnership agreements across local housing, health and social care sectors to ensure all older people have access to occupational therapy services.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
access to services, case studies, independence, occupational therapists, occupational therapy, older people, person-centred care, prevention, service development, cost effectiveness;
Northern Ireland. Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
Publication year:
2010
Pagination:
76p.
Place of publication:
Belfast
This study investigated the quality of life of older people living in rural areas in Northern Ireland. It highlights the diversity of experience and addresses the many assumptions which surround ageing in a rural context. Its purpose was to provide an insight into the reality of growing old in rural areas by listening to the voices of older people in Northern Ireland to explore their experiences, perceptions and attitudes. The study comprised qualitative research involving a number of methods including in-depth interviewing, focus groups and participant observation. Four main themes emerged from the research: perceptions of rural living; attachment to place; access to services; and community cohesion and social capital. The research highlights the high levels of unmet needs in rural communities and the lack of understanding of rural living. Disadvantage in rural communities exists beside advantage and prosperity. Housing deprivation, fuel poverty, social isolation, difficulty in accessing fundamental services, and withdrawal of services are key concerns in these communities. The report concludes that there is a need for policy makers charged with delivering services to address the hidden and dispersed nature of disadvantage in these rural communities.
This study investigated the quality of life of older people living in rural areas in Northern Ireland. It highlights the diversity of experience and addresses the many assumptions which surround ageing in a rural context. Its purpose was to provide an insight into the reality of growing old in rural areas by listening to the voices of older people in Northern Ireland to explore their experiences, perceptions and attitudes. The study comprised qualitative research involving a number of methods including in-depth interviewing, focus groups and participant observation. Four main themes emerged from the research: perceptions of rural living; attachment to place; access to services; and community cohesion and social capital. The research highlights the high levels of unmet needs in rural communities and the lack of understanding of rural living. Disadvantage in rural communities exists beside advantage and prosperity. Housing deprivation, fuel poverty, social isolation, difficulty in accessing fundamental services, and withdrawal of services are key concerns in these communities. The report concludes that there is a need for policy makers charged with delivering services to address the hidden and dispersed nature of disadvantage in these rural communities.
Subject terms:
older people, poverty, quality of life, rural areas, social exclusion, access to services, benefits, communities;
Northern Ireland. Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Social Services Inspectorate
Publication year:
2006
Pagination:
27p., bibliog.
Place of publication:
Belfast
The need for an inspection of social care support services for carers was identified during the consultation on the Social Services Inspectorate's (SSI) roll-forward inspection programme for 2002-2005. The report identifies what carers value and assesses their unmet needs.
The need for an inspection of social care support services for carers was identified during the consultation on the Social Services Inspectorate's (SSI) roll-forward inspection programme for 2002-2005. The report identifies what carers value and assesses their unmet needs.
Extended abstract:
Author
CONN Lorna;
Title
Literature review to inform the inspection of social care support services for carers of older people in Northern Ireland .
Publisher
Northern Ireland. Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Social Services Inspectorate, 2006
Summary
This literature review was produced to inform the development of standards for the Social Services Inspectorate's Inspection of Social Care Support Services for Carers of Older People.
Context
The aim of the inspection was to evaluate support services across the four Health and Social Services Board areas against draft standards which have been developed after comprehensive consultation with the statutory, voluntary, education and private sectors. Particular attention was paid to ensuring that both individual carers and carers' groups were central to the consultation process and informed the draft standards development and the inspection process.
Contents
The literature review highlights the historical development of services for carers, examines the extent of caring and looks at both national and international developments over recent years. In particular, it identifies what carers value, which should inform the development of services within both the statutory and voluntary sector and enhance support for carers in their important and invaluable caring role. A foreword explaining the aims and definitions is followed by an introduction outlining the history of the recognition of caring (a term which only began to appear in the literature in the 1970s) and research on caring in its own right. Sections discuss historical development, definitions of carers, the extent of caring, characteristics of carers, age, gender, race and diversity, duration of caring, poverty, social class, policy/legislative basis and tensions in policy, what carers value, the complexity of caring, perceptions of family involvement in caring and the impact on service provision, factors impacting in uptake of services, and international perspectives.
Conclusion
The development of professional practice both in assessing carers' needs and in providing appropriate services to meet those needs represents a significant challenge. Research has focused on specific areas of care giving, but has been limited, regarding the duration and types of care provided within Northern Ireland and the extent to which ethnic minority groups are able to access services. Additionally, little is known regarding assessment practice and how best to involve carers in service planning and delivery. There is insufficient clarity regarding what constitutes support services for carers as opposed to services for the care-for person and the extent to which agencies are responding appropriately to carers' needs. Progress has been made in carers' rights compared with other European countries and Australia . In the UK the political will exists to advance service provision for carers and to further involve them in the planning of such services. Statutory agencies continue to strive to find mechanisms for identifying carers. Professionals need to receive additional training to continue to identify and respond to carers in an individual, empowering, skilled and sensitive manner. An examination of progress regarding carers' assessments, the extent to which social care services meet the needs of carers and best practice in carer involvement are essential pre-requisites for the systematic planning of future work in this area.
72 references
ISBN 0 946932 18 2
Subject terms:
inspection, literature reviews, older people, social care, social care provision, unmet need, access to services, carers;