In partnership with Carers UK and SCIE the four Supporting Carers Beacons (Hertfordshire, Rochdale, Sefton and Sunderland) have made a DVD to support the training of front-line staff in carrying out effective carers' assessments. Trainers, managers and front-line staff had all identified a need for a video-based tool to support training. While the best option is always to involve carers as trainers, the reality is that this may not always be possible, and this DVD ensures the carers' voice is powerfully heard.

NB You have permission to use this DVD free of charge and in any appropriate setting (conferences, training events) to promote good practice in working with carers and carer awareness.

The DVD is entitled:

Listening to carers
Carers' experiences of carers' assessments
The key to a life outside caring

The main portion of the DVD is about thirty minutes. It is divided into 5 chapters with sub-headings for easy use by trainers. It consists exclusively of carers talking, 18 of them, about their various experiences of being listened to and supported through the assessment process. There is also a section of additional material (23 minutes) including some contributions of workers and policy makers as well as additional material from carers on a range of themes.

A training pack to accompany the DVD has been designed with Carers UK and other partners and is available to download below. These materials are available on-line to assist self-directed learing, and are linked to SCIE's on-line Guide to the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act.

We would be very interested in any comments you have about the usefulness of the material, or what you would like to see in the training pack.

To view the DVD online click here. To download a copy of the video right click here and select "Save Target As..."

To download a copy of the training pack produced by Carers UK to accompany the DVD, right click here and select "Save Target As...". To simply view (you will need PDF reader software installed), click with the left mouse button.

These supporting materials are designed for trainers, but can also be used, with the aid of the DVD, to assist self-directed learning for any staff working with carers, and particularly those carrying out carers' assessments.

Whilst downloading the DVD is fine for personal study, you will probably want a hard copy if you wish to show the DVD on a projector. Copies can be obtained from Users and Carers Section, Herftordshire CC Adult Care Services, 01707 280 659.