Provision of accessible information and advice

Provision of accessible information and advice

We have had success in increasing the reach, visibility, and accessibility of our information and advice offer. Feedback from our customers ranks us third regionally and 33rd nationally for ease of access to information about our services (ASCOF 2022-23), however further effort in this area remains a key priority and part of our current improvement programme. There is a focus on continuing to develop our information and advice service to provide additional ways people can access and receive support earlier, and more ways to engage and interact with our information offer, for example, through artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbots. This comprises a key element of our Information and Advice strategy which is currently in development. The ongoing development of our ‘front door’ is also central to this work.

The West Sussex Connect to Support website offers advice and guidance on ways to live healthy, safe, and independent lives and signposting to local community activities and care services. It also has a specific area where people can find the right equipment to support them at home and a carer’s information hub. We also maintain a website for Carewise, our care funding advice scheme, where people can request a referral to a care fees specialist. Our websites have seen year on year increases in use.

Our Wellbeing service supports people to find local wellbeing information and services. We have six wellbeing hubs across the county where people can access advice and support on a wide range of issues, for example how to make small changes to improve their health and wellbeing, including how to stop smoking, how to become more active or how to make meals healthier. This includes one-to-one and some group activities.