Presenting Carer Gateway forums in WA
Carers WA has been appointed as the Carer Gateway service provider for metro and regional WA. With a long history of providing carer supports and services to the WA community, Carers WA is pleased to offer the new Carer Gateway services alongside a range of existing practical and emotional supports from Monday, 6th April 2020.
The Integrated Carer Support Services (ICSS) model consolidates the funding from over one hundred separate organisations to ten delivery partners across Australia, including Carers WA. This new way of providing support being implemented by the Federal Government begins in April 2020. As one of the selected providers, Carers WA, in conjunction with consortia partner HelpingMinds, will deliver support and services to unpaid carers under the government’s new framework. The ICSS model, Carer Gateway, will focus on early intervention, preventative and skill-building supports to improve carer wellbeing and long term outcomes.
The Carer Gateway will provide a mix of digital and in-person supports. The services to be delivered by the Carer Gateway providers include:
- Carer needs assessment and planning
- In-person and phone-based coaching, counselling and peer support
- Targeted support packages with a focus on supporting participation in employment and education
- Information and advice
- Assistance with navigating relevant, local services available to carers through federal, state and local government and non-government providers, including the National Disability Insurance Scheme, My Aged Care and palliative care.
Some national online supports are already available through the Carer Gateway including:
- Online peer support
- Self-guided coaching
- Phone-based counselling
- Practical skills courses
In March and April, Carers WA will be facilitating a series of forums across several locations to detail these new services and how carers can access these services through Carers WA and the Carer Gateway. View the flyer detailing scheduled forums in Perth, Albany and Northam here or visit the Events Calendar to find a forum happening near you.
More information forums will be hosted in future by Carers WA, your local Carer Gateway provider. A number of these forums will be facilitated by consortia partner HelpingMinds. Forums will be hosted in; Broome, Bunbury, Carnarvon, Geraldton and Port Hedland.
For more information please register for a Carer Services Information Forum by calling 1300 227 377 or email marketing@carerswa.asn.au
***UPDATE: As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia continues to grow and non-essential gatherings of more than 100 people have been restricted, Carers WA and HelpingMinds have made the joint decision to postpone the upcoming Carer Gateway Information Forums. Read more here.
