We understand that not all carers will require help, but some do. In partnership with charities and other organisations in the voluntary sector, we deliver a wide range of information, advice, guidance and support to carers who want it. Most of this support is free of charge and universally available to all carers. Some support is available only to those carers in the most critical need.
We have a multi-layer model of support for adult carers. This starts by offering all carers access to general information through public and community venues and online. In many cases this will be all the help a carer might need.
Some carers will want a bit more direct help and advice. We will work with local carer organisations to provide information and advice to carers with moderate or substantial needs. This may include indicating to the carer where they can get information or direct help for themselves.
Those carers who are in greatest need of support are often referred to as having a critical need. In Fife our threshold for receiving additional tailored support services, beyond those available on a universal community-wide basis, is set at critical.
For adult carers with critical needs, for whom their caring role will fail quickly without additional support, we will offer an Adult Carers Support Plan to identify what they require to meet their needs.
Whichever level of support is required, carers will be at the centre of the planning and delivery of support to get the best outcomes to meet their identified needs.
Universal practical support available to all carers
Fife Health & Social Care Partnership recognises that all carers may, from time to time, benefit from some support. We have made investments in a diverse range of support that is available, free of charge, to all carers. We call these universal services.
- Adult Carer Support Plans
- Emergency Plans
- Breaks from caring
- Hospital discharge support service
- Advocacy support for carers
- Financial inclusion support for carers
Supporting your caring role doesn’t need to take any particular form, and creative solutions are often the most beneficial, as Fiona tells us here:
“I’m a carer and whilst parkrun doesn’t give me a break from my carer role, unless Adam runs away from me for the last 500m, parkrun has helped in many different ways. I have met so many people I wouldn’t have otherwise and lots of them have offered to run with Adam, when he’s ready. It’s also a “safe place” for Adam and he will go off and communicate with others after we finish enabling me to have time to catch up with others.”
Eligibility criteria
It is important that we use our limited resources to support those most in need. We try to support an individual’s independence where possible. The eligibility criteria help us make this happen. These are defined as “the criteria by which the local authority must determine whether it is required to provide support to carers to meet carers’ identified needs.”
All carers are entitled to some support such as information and advice. This includes some of the practical support mentioned above.