Carers

At Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust we recognise the vital role that carers play in supporting people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and long term conditions.

We want to ensure that our services support you every step of the way and involve you in as much as possible whether through meetings, conversations or ensuring you have access to support for your own wellbeing.

We link with local carers’ centres, other local support services and directly with carers, to develop effective partnerships and ensure that you, the carer, are well informed, supported and enabled to be a carer for as long as you wish to be.  We also provide carer services, enabling you to get the support you need or be directed to the appropriate place to receive this.

HPFT are members of the Triangle of Care and the organisation has embedded the Triangle of Care’s six standards into its carer pathway. What is the Triangle of Care? The Triangle of Care is an improvement tool which brings together carers, service users and health professionals. It aims to promote safety and recovery and to sustain mental wellbeing by including and supporting carers.

The six key standards

1. Carers and the essential role they play are identified at first contact, or as soon as possible thereafter.
2. Staff are ‘carer aware’ and trained in carer engagement strategies.
3. Policy and practice protocols re: confidentiality and sharing information are in place.
4. Defined post(s) responsible for carers are in place.
5. A carer introduction to the service is available, with a relevant range of information across the care pathway.
6. A range of carer support services is available