Council wins Improvement and Efficiency awards
OXFORDSHIRE County Council have won two awards for improvement and efficiency within the council, including one for its care and support services.
In the Improvement and Efficiencey South East Awards 2010, Improving Lives category, Oxfordshire County Council won for its work on individual services funds for supporting independent living. The award was made for OCC’s development of individual funding in care homes which was delivered in partnership with Age Concern and the Office for Disability Issues. It aims to improve individuals’ lives by giving them greater choice over their care and support.
Examples of this in action include improving a lady’s social situation by helping her take up water colour painting which she enjoys doing with her fellow residents. Also sailing sessions at a local club for a well-travelled gentleman who now has severe dementia. He’s able to rig his boat and sails it with a carer – an activity he enjoyed as a younger man.
So far, 36 residents of six care homes have received support from Age Concern and the ODI who have acted as brokers to research and arrange prospective services and activities related to the individual. Staff in several homes have also been trained to help individual residents plan their care.
Supporting Care Workers
The council also won the IESE People Management award for a scheme to support working carers through special leave arrangements and a forum to help develop future policy and to air key issues.
Extra paid leave is available to help support hospital visits or case conferences with the cared for person. A working carer’s group also meets quarterly – there are currently more than 40 members with new people coming to every meeting.
“Working carers are a group of ‘unsung heroes’ who often quietly carry on their daily jobs while coping with many responsibilities at home in a way which demands our respect. Oxfordshire is glad to be able to assist our working carers in balancing their work and home lives and I would like to pay tribute to all the work they do,” said Director of Social and Community Services, John Jackson.
