Following the feedback Durham county Council (DCC) received in developing the Adult Social Care Strategy 2025-2027, as a priority area, they want to improve how we communicate and provide information and advice about adult social care.
DCC have a duty to provide information and advice about care and support services. Providing information and advice that is good quality, timely and accessible is also an important part of their approach to prevention; supporting people to stay healthy, happy and independent in their own homes and local communities for as long as possible.
DCC currently share information about adult social care in a number of ways from face to face contact to universal information sharing such as:
- Placing information on Durham County Council website
- Publishing news articles in Durham County News
- Posting information about our services on our social media platforms
- Cascading information to networks and partnerships such as the Carers Network so you can get information from them too
- Providing printed materials such as leaflets, newsletters and letters
- Having conversations with the people who use adult social care services
DCC want to ensure their communication and information sharing is proactive, appropriate, meaningful and inclusive, and that people have the information they need, when they need it.
To help inform and improve our plans, they want to understand key things such as:
- If you or someone close to you needed support in future, what would you want to know about adult social care
- Where would you most likely look to find out information about adult social care
- What format of adult social care information you would find most useful and helpful
- What makes the information we provide useful and easy to understand and digest
Your feedback and suggestions will be used to help shape how they provide information, advice and guidance in the future and help us develop their Adult Care Communication Strategy.
Visit the Lets Talk County Durham page for more information on this public consultation.
Lets Talk county Durham Link: www.letstalkcountydurham.co.uk/en-GB/projects/adult-social-care-communication-plan-survey/1
16/07/2026 – Town Council’s comments on this Consultation:
Bishop Auckland Town Council welcomes Durham County Council’s commitment to improving communication and information sharing regarding Adult Social Care services.
The Council recognises that residents can often struggle to understand what support is available, how to access services, and where to seek advice, particularly at times of crisis or significant life change. Clear, timely and accessible information is therefore essential.
The Town Council would encourage Durham County Council to:
- Use a combination of digital and traditional communication methods to ensure information reaches all residents, including those who may be digitally excluded.
- Work closely with town and parish councils, community organisations, GP surgeries, libraries and voluntary groups to disseminate information locally.
- Provide simple, easy-to-understand guidance on how to access support, eligibility criteria and key contact points.
- Ensure information is available in accessible formats and is tailored to meet the needs of older people, carers, disabled residents and those with additional communication needs.
- Promote preventative support and early intervention services as well as crisis support, helping residents remain independent for longer.
- Regularly review communication methods with service users and stakeholders to ensure they remain effective and responsive to changing needs.
Bishop Auckland Town Council supports the development of a comprehensive communications strategy that improves awareness of Adult Social Care services and ensures residents can access the information and support they require at the earliest opportunity.