Freedom of information response

Please see appendix A attached

• Assessments are currently undertaken internally (i.e. by the LA).  The completed template reflects that position.  We also have an external Information, Advice and Support service for carers.  This service does not currently undertaken assessments, however we have also provided the figures below (i.e. not in the completed template but at the bottom of this email) on the number of referrals/carers who are supported by this service to adequately reflect our offer.

• Not all contacts requesting a carers assessment result in an assessment taking place. Some referrals are made by concerned agencies and when we contact those concerned they may decline the assessment.
• Row 7 does not total to row 2 as we have more contact methods than the 3 shown.
• Row 12 shows the average number of working days from contact to assessment.
• Row 22 refers to our externally provided carers support service and does not reflect the internal resource to carry out assessments.  This is front line staff only (i.e. those who work directly with carers) and does not include senior management or back office functions.  The increase in staff reflects our commitment to support carers during and post pandemic.
• In addition to our assessment processes and externally provided Information, advice and support service we also have a Council run short break service for carers to allow them to take a break from their caring role (e.g. a few hours or a day) – this is not reflected in the return but is part of our overall offer to support carers in their role.
• Row 24 and 26 refers to our budget for externally provided Information, advice and support service and does not reflect internal resource (social workers, carers commissioning lead etc) or the short break service detailed above.  The increase in spend to budget reflects our commitment to support carers during and post pandemic and to adequately meet the increasing numbers of carers seeking support (see below).

Information, Advice and Support Service – Referral and support data

2021/22 – 403 referrals for information, advice and support accepted within the year. 

2020/21 – 377 referrals for information, advice and support accepted within the year.

2019/20 -  209 referrals for information, advice and support accepted within the year.

As can be seen the identification and support to carers has nearly doubled since the pandemic.  Projections for 2022/23 based on quarter data returns suggest that this increase will continue.

You are free to use any information supplied to you for your own use, including non-commercial research purposes.  However, any other type of re-use, for example, by publishing the information or issuing copies to the public will require the permission of the copyright owner.

Where the copyright is owned by Thurrock Council, you must apply to the Council to re-use the information.  Please email information.matters@thurrock.gov.uk if you wish to re-use the information you have been supplied. For information where the copyright is owned by another person or organisation, you must apply to the copyright owner to obtain their permission.

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which the council have managed your FOI request you can pursue an Internal Review by contacting us using the above email address. Your request will be considered by a senior member of the Information Management Team who will update you with the outcome of the review. 

If you remain unhappy following the outcome of your Internal Review you may wish to refer your case to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and details of this organisation can be found at www.ico.org.uk . Please be advised that the ICO will not consider your case until they have confirmation that you have already been through the Internal Review stage with the council.