NHS Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG (SWBCCG) has identified a need to expand the scope of specialist carers support services provided in Sandwell. The service currently offers tailored support for carers of people with enduring mental health illnesses and we are thinking of developing the service to include specialised support people who are caring for an individual with:

· A diagnosed learning disability
· A diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder (e.g. autism or ADHD)
· A dual diagnosis (e.g. learning disability and autism).
 
Throughout the survey we will refer to carers of the above individuals in short, as “carers of people with a learning disability”, but we mean this to also include carers of people with a neurodevelopmental disorder and/or a dual diagnosis.

Sandwell carers currently have access to a support service led by the Carers’ Team at Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, however, there is a growing need for more specialised support. This gives us the opportunity to engage carers to better understand the unique needs of caring for someone with a learning disability, as well as seek their views to help shape a high quality, fit for purpose service.

The growing need for more specialised support, gives us the opportunity to engage those who can help us better understand the unique needs of caring for someone with a learning disability, as well as seek their views to help shape a high quality, fit for purpose service.

Please take a few minutes to share your views with us by completing this questionnaire.

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* 1. Please tell us about you

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* 2. Have you ever accessed local services in the past to support you as a carer?

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* 3. What sort of challenges do carers of people with a learning disability face?

(E.g. Feeling isolated, not knowing the services available, health/ wellbeing issues, lack of specialised support or respite etc.)

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* 4. Are there any particular challenges you can think of that are unique to caring for someone with a learning disability that other carers may not experience?

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* 5. What could local health services do to improve the lives of carers of people with a learning disability?

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* 6. What are the top three things a carers service could help with?
(Please tell us your ideas)

* Some examples might include (but are not limited to):
- Improve health and wellbeing or quality of life
- Increase independence
- Participation in meaningful social activity
- To get respite, financial advice or employment advice
- Feeling supported/ valued)

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* 7. In what ways would it be practical for carers of people with a learning disability to engage with a carers support service? (Please tick all that apply

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* 8. Do you have any other comments we should consider?

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* 9. Personal information (optional)

It is important for us to listen and hear from as many people as possible. The following will allow us to ensure that we collect the views of our diverse population.

  White: Mixed / Multiple Ethnic: Asian / Asian British: Black / African / Caribbean / Black British: Any other ethnic group
What is your ethnic group?

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* 10. What is your gender?

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* 11. Which of the following age categories do you fit into?

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* 12. Are your day-to-day activities limited by a health problem or disability which has lasted or is expected to last over 12 months?

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* 13. What is your religion?

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* 14. Which of the following options best describes how you think of yourself?

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