Acute levels of auditory perception should be cited as the most important personal attribute for the next occupant of the Carers’ Champion seat at Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership. Listening and accurate interpretation, followed by clear presentation to policy makers, is paramount.

More than a useful suggestion (it is implied when discussing related duties with the retiring incumbent and the Partnership’s first Champion, Dr Christopher Mason), an assiduous adherence to learning and understanding the difficulties associated with being a family carer in a range of situations is unquestionably central to purpose. 

Communicating issues raised, particularly in relation to quality and consistency of service, so that they can be speedily resolved, is the aim.

In essence the voluntary post of Carers’ Champion should be viewed as a conduit between those undertaking social need – typically in their own, a relative’s, or a friend’s home – and those public agencies, such as local authorities, charged with enabling that care to be delivered in the most appropriate way.    

They do not crave unreasonable concessions for themselves but carers frequently carry out work that brings long days and/or nights, abbreviates or precludes time for their own pursuits and in spite of intervention by agencies, may still be mentally or physically strenuous. It needs to be recognised. 

More often than not, constructive proposal rather than vociferous complaint is their preferred first line of approach to problems. 

The Carers’ Champion exists to ensure their voice is heard – work that is carried out in a challenging fiscal and legislative landscape. The strictures of necessary public process add another dimension when solutions are being considered.

Mason, now in his 70s and retiring as Carers’ Champion for personal and family reasons that mean he can’t offer the time and energy required of the post, is more than familiar with the exigencies of negotiating the hurdles that inevitably occur. 

He was a Glasgow City Councillor and before that an elected member of the former Strathclyde Regional Council, for many years chairing working groups on autism. 

As a retired councillor with contextual fit with the chief focus, he underlines the role needs to be tackled with face-to-face dialogue.

“What I set out to do was to meet as many carers as possible,” he explains.  “There are a great many kinds of carer – people who look after a spouse, or perhaps a brother or sister with Alzheimer’s, right through to children who look after their mothers.

“There are people who have family members who have a physical disability or they have a learning disability or they have poor health troubles. 

“The kind of thing they have to do as carers will be affected to some extent by the problems of the person they are looking after but what gives them a common experience is dealing with Government and Government services, particularly dealing with the health service and social work (service) and dealing with people who pay benefits.

“As Carers Champion I made representations to the Council about the issues that were troubling them. This job is immensely worthwhile –but it is taxing.”

In an imperfect world the body of opinion communicated – largely in this case to the constituent members of the Partnership, Glasgow City Council/NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which allocate funding – may not always be met with a demonstration of adequate or timeous reply for a variety of reasons, often related to budgets. 

A broad appreciation of public sector service delivery structures will be a feature of the new Carers’ Champion’s personal toolkit.

The theory of creating an independent channel of consultation (the Carers’ Champion will work independently of the Council/NHS and other provider organisations, though the Council will provide both administrative support and expenses) includes within its design the ability to help inform policy making on grass roots social care.  

The role was created in 2012, preceding the new Partnership which commenced in April this year. 

A spokesperson says: “We are looking for a new Champion who will continue to be the voice of our carers during a period of challenge, now and in the years to come, providing them with ongoing support and recognition, and helping them to shape future policies and strategies.”

Interested applicants are invited to submit a CV with covering letter to David Williams, the Chief Officer Designate at Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership.

Importantly, and in order to properly assess the role in line with likely tasks required and time commitment involved, Williams is happy to engage in a private conversation if applicants wish and prior to receiving their full application for consideration.