Links & Information

Crossroads Caithness

WHO ARE WE

Crossroads (Caithness) is one of the  eight Crossroads Care Attendant schemes within the Highland Council area.  We are affiliated to Crossroads (Scotland) as a whole.  The scheme is a charitable organisation set up in Caithness in 1988 following a survey that demonstrated the need for respite care for those who were looking after others in their own home on a more or less full time basis.

The scheme provides fully trained, security cleared, Care Attendants who substitute for a carer for a period of time on a flexible basis to allow the carer some time to themselves, either within or out with the home.

The scheme provides an experienced and confidential service to those in need of our support.  We work in close cooperation with other caring organisations - both statutory or voluntary.  We respond to individual need within the resources available to us.

The part time Care Attendants are managed on a day-to-day basis by a full time Co-ordinator/Manager.  The scheme is a limited company with a Board of Directors and a Management Committee members are all unpaid volunteers.

DUTIES UNDERTAKEN BY A CARE ATTENDANT INCLUDE TASKS SUCH AS:-

• Toileting

• Changing incontinence pads and bags

• Getting client up and dressed

• Getting client undressed and out to bed

• Helping in and out of bed/chair/wheelchair with or without a hoist if with in our handling capabilities

• Helping with any rehabilitation programme according to medical or nursing advice

• Bathing/bed bathing

• Washing hands and face

• Feeding

• Administration of oral or rectal medication

The Care Attendant will also undertake domestic duties essential to the comfort and well being of the client whilst the Care attendant is in the home, such as:

• Keeping the clients room clean and tidy

• Essential laundering for the comfort of the client

• Helping the client carry out light domestic duties as needed

• Cooking and preparing meals for the client when in attendance at meal time

• Making morning coffee, afternoon tea, or evening drinks whilst in attendance

• We also provide overnight care when finances allow

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Company has the following policies and procedures in place:

• Quality Assurance Policy and its Implementation

• Health & Safety Policy and its Implementation

• Equal Opportunities Policy and its Implementation

• Welfare of Children and its Implementation

• Code of Confidentiality

• Complaints Procedure

A copy of those documents can be obtained by contacting the Co-ordinator.

Copies of the Articles & Memorandum of association and the latest Annual Report and Audited accounts are also available from the office.

The scheme is registered with the Highland Council to provide home based carer support.

In February 1998, the scheme became the first Crossroads scheme in Scotland to obtain the "Investor in People" award in recognition of our training policy.

HISTORY
The Caithness Crossroads Scheme was formed in 1988 operating with a part time Co-ordinator (Maggie Page - still in office but now full time), and four care attendants supporting carers.  The scheme has grown each year since 1988 and in the financial year 1997/98, 13 Care Attendants provided 5176 hours of carer support.  Driving 33,000 miles in Caithness to deliver it.

HOW TO CONTACT CROSSROADS
ANYONE CAN CONTACT THE CO-ORDINATOR
BY PHONE ON:- 01847 895483
OR BY E_MAIL AT:- crossroads_caithness@lineone.net
OR BY MAIL AT:-

Scrabster Harbour Business Centre
Scrabster
THURSO
Caithness
KW14 7UJ

If urgent the co-ordinator can be paged on:- 01426 606771

To do this dial 01426 606771 listen to the message then if you have a touch tone phone, dial your own phone number including your dialling code then press #.  If you have problems contact the telephone operator.

COMMITTEE
Some committee members are listed below:-

Mr Owen Pugh  Chairman
01847 895483
01847 892765

Mr Keith Muir  Treasurer
01847 895483

Mrs E Spearing  Secretary
01847 895483
01847 892619

New Web Site  http://website.lineone.net/~crossroads_caithness 

Crossroads is aimed at Carers who look after:

• The frail and elderly

• Sufferers from a Heart condition, Stroke, Dementia or Multiple Sclerosis etc.

• Young or elderly with learning difficulties or any other debilitating illness.

Once the  Co-ordinator is alerted to a need, she carries out a care assessment in the client/carer's home to determine the level of support required which leads to an individual care plan.  In many instances the support from Crossroads may be additional to that provided by other organisations, and will in no way affect other services received.

The co-ordinator makes every effort to match the client and carer with the Care Attendant delivering the service.  If however a problem develops, the Co-ordinator should be contacted immediately.

CARER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

If the carer wishes to change arrangements or request extra care to those already established, he/she must first contact the Co-ordinator to see if hours are available.  Any care arrangements made with the Care Attendant will not be paid for by Crossroads and carries no insurance cover.

Any cancellation of a period of care must be notified to the Co-ordinator allowing her to offer the hours to another carer/client.

STAFF TRAINING

Training is given to all members of staff, this can take the form of updating through regular Care attendant meetings held by the Co-ordinator or individual courses.  These are provided by outside organisations and training schemes provided by Crossroads (Scotland).  In particular Care Attendants are trained in:-

• General care and wellbeing of the client

• First Aid

• Moving and Handling

• Child Protection

• Food Hygiene

• Dementia Care

• Fire Safety

• Administration of Medication

FINANCES

The scheme is funded in the following ways:-

A.

• Annual grants from the Highland Council Social Work Department and Highland Health Board

• Fund raising by the members of the Scheme in Caithness

• Donations from organisations and individuals in Caithness

• Fund/grants solicited from national trust funds, organisations and companies.

All carer support provided from these sources is FREE at the point of delivery.

If the scheme is working to capacity new carer/clients may have to be placed on a waiting list.  Carers in this situation can approach the Social Work department who may be willing to purchase support from us, as B below.

B.

• Individual care support, purchased from us by the Highland Council Social Work Department.

Highland Council Social Work Department may charge for this service service provided by Crossroads.

C.

• Support purchased by the carer or the person being cared for using allowances from statutory bodies identified for the purpose

• e.g. Independent Living Fund or Attendance Allowance.

This support will be charged at the prevailing rate agreed with the Highland Council Social Work Department for individual purchased carer support and travel as in B above.

D.

At present Crossroads does not charge fir its carer support.  However should a carer wish to enter into a private contract with the scheme terms can be arranged.  This contract of necessity must reflect the full cost, i.e. not subsidised by statutory body funding.

HOW YOU CAN HELP US

• Crossroads (Caithness) need the support of the people of Caithness to join the voluntary management team to help to run the scheme.

• We welcome anyone wishing to become a member of the scheme.  No financial contribution is required.  Please contact the Co-ordinator or Company Secretary through the office for more information on joining.

 DONATIONS

Your donation will help carers in Caithness receive the help and support they need.  A donation can be handed into the office, sent in by post or made monthly by deed of covenant.  Please make cheque or postal order payable to:-

Crossroads (Caithness) Care
Attendant Scheme
Room 4
Scrabster Harbour
Business Centre
Thurso
Caithness
KW14 7UJ