07 July 2017
The Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, has appointed Islander Lisa Jacobs to Jersey’s new Care Commission.
The Care Commission is being established in advance of the Regulation of Care (Jersey) Law 2014, which comes into force towards the end of 2017. It will be responsible for overseeing the quality of care provided to Islanders either in their own homes (domiciliary care) or in key care services (care homes, children’s homes and adult day care services).
Lisa, who was born and grew up in Jersey, lives in St Lawrence. Having previously worked for a number of local banks, Lisa is now actively involved in initiatives that support individuals with special needs and their families. She runs a parent group at Mont à l’Abbé School and is a member of the Special Needs Advisory Panel (SNAP). In addition, Lisa was recently appointed to the Education Department’s Parent Forum, a group established to help influence and shape education and support services for children with special needs.
Lisa said “As someone who grew up on the Island and who is a parent with two children, one of whom has complex needs, I have used a whole range of health and care services. I know from first-hand experience that some services work well but that families can encounter a whole range of barriers when trying to secure the best possible care for their loved ones. I am passionate about improving local health and social care services for all Islanders.”
Senator Gorst said “I am delighted to appoint Lisa to the Jersey Care Commission. Her role in the Commission is critical: she will bring local knowledge and will support the Commission in putting services users at the heart of all that it does.”
Chair of the Care Commission, Glenn Houston, added “To date, four Commissioners, including myself, have been appointed. We bring expertise and knowledge gained through our working lives in fields such as social services, regulatory services, ombudsman services and research. Lisa, who is the fifth Commissioner to be appointed, brings lived experience of local services. She will be able to help the Commission understand local need and hear the voices of local service users. Lisa is a great appointment, and I am very pleased that she will be joining us.”