Care Radio

BREAKING NEWS

• 
  Government drops plan to scrap fostering panels for carer approval

  The government has dropped plans to scrap the use of fostering panels for carer approval and first reviews. The Department for Education had put forward the idea on the grounds that there was sufficient other scrutiny of foster carers' applications and practice and because panels were regarded as "burdensome" by some carers. However, nine leading children's and fostering charities urged children's minister Josh MacAlister to reconsider, warning that removing panels for approval and first reviews would get rid of an "essential safeguard".

• 
  Former unpaid carer says get your act together to officials

  A former unpaid carer has urged officials to “get their act together” after they continued to pay carer’s benefit for six months after the death of his husband, potentially landing him with debts of more than £1,300. Chris Farrell says he tried to get the Department for Work and Pensions to stop paying him the benefit of more than 86 pounds per week. Mr Farrell said his anxiety whether he’d be punished despite following the rules left him distressed and unable to move on with his life.

• 
  Carers mental health support in Jersey

  Carers supporting people with mental illness have accessed more than 300 sessions of emotional and practical support in the first six months of a new partnership in Jersey. The Listening Lounge has been working alongside Dementia Jersey, Focus on Mental Illness and Jersey Eating Disorders Support to deliver the Carer Support Service. Since November, the four organisations have run a range of groups, giving carers access to support including mental health first aid and Caring for Carers courses.

• 
  Unpaid cares still being paid carer's allowance benefits

  Former unpaid carers are still being paid carer’s allowance benefits, even after asking the Department for Work and Pensions to stop the payments, landing them with debts — that’s according to an exclusive report in The Guardian newspaper. The paper claims it knows of six cases where unpaid carer’s continued to receive the benefit, leading to anxiety and uncertainty about whether they would be punished for overpayment. Overpayments are causing the recipients stress and also raise concerns that taxpayer money is being misspent, and may have to be written off.

• 
  Safety toolkit for unpaid carers in Derbyshire

  The fire service in Derbyshire has launched a new safety toolkit specifically for unpaid carers to prevent fires in the home. The idea was developed after a review of fires in the county at the homes of people with care and support needs. The toolkit aims to help people think proactively about fire safety at home, such as planning escape routes, checking smoke detectors and how unpaid carers can get more support.

• 
  100 organisations sign unpaid carers support pledge

  More than 100 organisations in north east England have signed a pledge to improve support for unpaid carers. Newcastle Carers says there are about 286 thousand people providing unpaid care in the region. Signatories of the pledge include the North East Mayor, the regional Integrated Care board and the local MPs David Smith and Ian Lavery.

• 
  Resident doctors strike called off

  Resident doctors in England have called off planned strike action after the government made a new offer. The doctors were set to walk out from this morning for four days. Their union, the BMA, said that a new offer would be put to members. The government said it was a positive and welcome development, especially for patients.

• 
  Defibrillators to be installed at Nationwide Building Society branches

  A building society is installing defibrillators and bleed control kits across its 605 branches. The Nationwide says its working alongside St John Ambulance to offer life-saving training to 4,000 members of staff as well as local communities. The organisation adds it wants more people to feel ready to act when it matters most. Virgin Money branches are also set to follow a rollout of the policy.