Action for Carers Surrey has a new team with a range of specialists all directly or indirectly supporting and advocating for carers who care for someone with mental health issues.
The new team is now operational and comprises of a team leader, Katie Davey and five (full-time equivalent) roles, with different specialisms.
The overall aim for the new team is to raise understanding of the challenges these carers face, how they can best be supported, and to help reinforce best practice for this particular group of carers in Surrey’s NHS and social care services.
Home First Team
Working with the ‘Home First’ team, part of Surrey and Borders NHS, we have two roles, looking to identify and support those hard-to-reach carers, who are supporting people in real mental health difficulties, such as psychosis, likely in, or near, crisis point.
Whole Family Support
This role will support and advocate for family members who are looking after people with mental health conditions. This includes young carers (under 18) in this situation. They’ll also engage with professionals to raise awareness.
Substance Abuse
A further role will support and advocate for carers who are looking after people who have a history of substance misuse.
Carer Practice Partners
These roles will be working alongside colleagues within the Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to embed carer-friendly practice in their services, and help staff better identify, understand and support this group of carers. They will offer training and engagement activities and provide bespoke advice and support.
Referrals
We have several referral pathways to make support easily accessible.
Once referred, carers will be identified as being a carer for someone who has mental health issues on triage and will be contacted by the team and offered support as appropriate.
Self-Referrals
Carers who wish to register themselves with Action for Carers can do so by contacting our helpline 0303 040 1234 or by completing our online form https://www.actionforcarers.org.uk/register-with-us/
Professional Referrals
As a professional, you can also refer a carer, via our professional referral form.
Carers Prescriptions
If you are a GP in Surrey, please complete the GP Carers Prescription
If you are a Surrey Health Professional (not a GP) please complete a Carers Prescription
Contacting the team
To contact the team email [email protected] or contact our helpline 0303 040 1234 or email [email protected]