We are proud to have received the Carers Trust Excellence for Carers Quality Standard. The award recognises best practice in services, advice and information for unpaid carers.
While receiving an award is a welcome achievement, what matters most is what it represents: high-quality support for carers and the confidence our partners can have when working with us.
Recognising the quality behind our services
The award followed a rigorous assessment of our services, leadership, staff, internal processes and engagement with local partners and stakeholders. To achieve the standard, organisations must demonstrate quality across ten key areas, including outcomes and impact, carer involvement, and the provision of information, advice and support.
The assessment recognised the dedication of our staff, volunteers and trustees, as well as the culture that underpins our work.
Helen Oliver, Quality Assurance and Improvement Manager, who was part of the assessment team, said:
“Throughout the assessment we saw a service that is making a real difference to carers, backed by a team whose passion, commitment and belief in what they do shone through in every conversation.”
She also highlighted our focus on continuous improvement, the pride our staff have in the organisation and the trust carers place in our services.
Support shaped around carers
Every caring situation is different. That is why we provide a range of support to help unpaid carers across West Sussex access the information, advice and opportunities that are right for them.
Our support includes:
- Information and advice
- Wellbeing support
- Peer support
- Events and activities
- Breaks from caring
- Practical help
Our aim is to ensure carers are recognised, valued and able to access the support they need to maintain their own health and wellbeing.
Caroline Pope, CEO of Carers Support West Sussex, said:
“We are incredibly proud to have achieved the Carers Trust Excellence for Carers Quality Standard. This award recognises the dedication, professionalism and hard work of our staff, volunteers and trustees, who support unpaid carers across West Sussex every day.
“Most importantly, it reflects our commitment to providing high-quality support and ensuring carers are recognised, valued and able to access the help they need.”
A trusted partner for local organisations
Supporting carers effectively cannot be achieved by one organisation alone. Carers interact with many different services, including health and social care, employers, education providers, voluntary organisations and community groups.
Strong partnerships help carers to be identified earlier, access the right support and experience more joined-up services.
The Excellence for Carers Quality Standard gives partners and stakeholders added confidence that they are working with an organisation which places best practice and sustainability at the heart of its work.
We can work alongside organisations to:
- Help staff and teams understand and recognise unpaid carers
- Connect carers with appropriate information and support
- Share specialist knowledge and insight about carers’ experiences
- Develop joined-up approaches that respond to local needs
- Raise awareness of carers within workplaces and communities
We are grateful to the carers, staff, volunteers, trustees and partners who contributed to this achievement. The award gives us an opportunity to recognise what is working well, while continuing to listen, learn and improve.
