Timescales for adult carer support plans and young carer statements: consultation analysis

Consultation Paper Question 5

Question 5: Please give your views on the pros and cons of whether the first substantive conversation time limits should count non-working days or working days only?

We received 41 responses to this question.

Most individuals and statutory organisations were in favour of counting working days only. Most non-statutory organisations favoured counting non-working days. Some responses highlighted that decisions on this issue are closely linked to decisions on the number of days. The pros and cons identified most frequently were as follows:

Count non-working days

Pros

• The timescales for carers are easier to understand and should be turned around quickly.
• May lead to quicker assistance.
• Several suggest that non-working days are irrelevant to a person who may only have 6 months to live.
• Could be useful in rural areas due to geography.

Cons

• Whilst the NHS do, the social care work force do not usually work weekends.
• Could impact on over-stretched services.
• Many organisations will have difficulty responding on bank holidays and weekends.

Count working days only

Pros

• Workers are more likely to achieve targets set and at higher quality.
• This is a more achievable ambition with current resources.
• Local authorities could adhere to timescales more easily.
• This is better structured and more staff/agencies can be involved.
• More manageable for all parties.
• Clear expectations on all parties.

Cons

• There may be difficulty delivering on tight timeframes.
• This could cause crisis/anxiety for carers.
• There was concern that this could potentially result in long timescales to ensure compliance.
• This may delay development of statement, with the perception that power lies with statutory services.