Between October 2014 and January 2015, the Thurrock Council Care Act 2014 Working Group, agreed, in co-production with Thurrock Coalition, to develop a Communications Plan to engage with people who use services, their families and carers, to emphasise and publicise the new legislation, the main changes, differences and it’s practical implications for everyone.

Council Officers were then assigned specific topic areas, based upon interest and specialism. The topics covered the key elements and changes under the new legislation, including:

o    Information and Advice

o    Promoting Wellbeing, Prevention, Delay, Reducing the need for care and support

o    Assessment and Eligibility

o    Advocacy

o    Carers’ rights

o    Funding and Finance

In order to implement the Communications Plan, Thurrock Council engaged Thurrock Coalition to facilitate a series of workshops aimed at People who use Services, of all impairment types, Older people, Carers, parents, family members, relatives and, people not yet disabled.

The “Care Act Unpacked” Workshops were a series of information workshops held across Thurrock, in Tilbury, South Ockendon and Grays to raise awareness, knowledge and understanding of the Care Act 2014..

The new Care Act 2014 is the biggest reform to the social care system in the UK since the NHS was created 66 years ago. The Care Act simplifies all the other laws and tries to make it clear exactly what care people can expect.

The Report & Recommendations are available here