Linda Jackson, Lynn Gallacher and Shirley Barratt at Holyrood House at Her Majesty The Queen's Royal Garden Party in July 2017.
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NewsMarch 2019 : New website launch
Welcome, everyone! |
‘How’s life?’
Scotland’s survey to explore the life experiences of people with learning disabilities in Scotland is now open. We hope carers for people with learning disabilities will get involved. The survey closes on 30th September.
‘How’s Life?’ was developed by The Scottish Commission for Learning Disability (SCLD) along with a number of partner organisations:
- ARC Scotland
- Down’s Syndrome Scotland
- ENABLE Scotland
- Key
- PAMIS
- People First (Scotland)
As well as giving people with learning disabilities (over the age of sixteen) the chance to have their say about what is important in their life, the survey will give invaluable information which can help inform future policy and research. It can be completed here.
Parental Involvement and Engagement census
As part of the Government’s commitment to improving the ways in which parents, carers and families work in partnership with teachers and partners, your feedback is needed.
We are urging all parents to complete the Parental Involvement and Engagement census. We are also keen to increase the voice that parents and carers have in leading improvements within their school.
The survey is a key element of the Learning Together National Action Plan on parental involvement, parental engagement, family learning and learning at home. It has been developed with local authorities across Scotland and contains a number of actions and goals designed to improve the support and information available to parents.
We are keen to make sure that all Borders’ parents and family carers take part.
The survey is open from Monday 3 to Sunday 30 June and should only take 5-8 minutes to complete.
Take part in the survey online for:
Free online access is available in all public libraries and Council contact centres.
If you would like a paper copy or support to take part, contact your child’s school.
We are urging all parents to complete the Parental Involvement and Engagement census. We are also keen to increase the voice that parents and carers have in leading improvements within their school.
The survey is a key element of the Learning Together National Action Plan on parental involvement, parental engagement, family learning and learning at home. It has been developed with local authorities across Scotland and contains a number of actions and goals designed to improve the support and information available to parents.
We are keen to make sure that all Borders’ parents and family carers take part.
The survey is open from Monday 3 to Sunday 30 June and should only take 5-8 minutes to complete.
Take part in the survey online for:
Free online access is available in all public libraries and Council contact centres.
If you would like a paper copy or support to take part, contact your child’s school.
The Best Start Grant
This payment provides families in Scotland, who are on a low income, with £250 to help with the costs of a child starting school. People can apply around the time a child normally starts Primary 1 and if they get certain benefits or tax credits. For this year that means if their child is born on or between 1 March 2014 to 28 Feb 2015. Applications can be made from 3 June 2019 until 29 February 2020 either online at www.mygov.scot/best-start-grant or by contacting the Freephone helpline on 0800 182 2222 (open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm)
See here for the Best Start Grant School Age Payment toolkit containing materials for your use.
See here for the Best Start Grant School Age Payment toolkit containing materials for your use.
The State of Caring Survey 2019 - (for those caring unpaid for a disabled, older or seriously ill relative or friend)
Last year over 7,000 carers shared their experience of caring. This allowed us to highlight the impact of being a carer to the media, in dozens of evidence submissions to Government and Parliamentary consultations, and in reports that influence decision makers and policy makers in a wide range of areas.
In the survey Carers UK be asking you to tell us what life is like now, and what needs to change.
This is the most extensive survey into carers' experiences in the UK. As a result, it will take at least 20 - 30 minutes to complete - so grab a cuppa and get comfy!
See survey here.
In the survey Carers UK be asking you to tell us what life is like now, and what needs to change.
This is the most extensive survey into carers' experiences in the UK. As a result, it will take at least 20 - 30 minutes to complete - so grab a cuppa and get comfy!
See survey here.
My Support... My Choice
This year Self Directed Support Scotland and the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) are running a research project called ‘My Support My Choice: user experiences of Self-directed Support in Scotland’, funded by the Scottish Government. This project seeks input from anyone who receives SDS or has been assessed for Self-directed Support in the last 12 months, regardless of the outcome of this process, via interviews and a detailed national survey. The survey asks about the experiences of social care users and their families, and examines local authority assessment, information and continual support practices in relation to SDS. We believe that people’s experiences can help make positive changes to how social care and SDS are delivered in Scotland. Our research aims to provide good evidence to help improve policy and practice. Research reports will be published online, and recommendations will be shared with Scottish Government, local authorities, participants, and other relevant organisations and people.
The online survey is now open and available here: https://sdsscotland.formtitan.com/MSMC_survey#/
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Hannah Tweed, Senior Policy officer via email (hannah.tweed@alliance-scotland.org.uk) or phone, or to call the team via the freephone line on 0800 1701 321.
The online survey is now open and available here: https://sdsscotland.formtitan.com/MSMC_survey#/
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Hannah Tweed, Senior Policy officer via email (hannah.tweed@alliance-scotland.org.uk) or phone, or to call the team via the freephone line on 0800 1701 321.
Murray House, Kelso - events |
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Take a Break funding open - Apply online
Online applications are now open until on 17 June 2019. Please return your application as soon as you can. You will receive a text message from Take a Break to confirm they have received it.
If you have already submitted an application, priority will be given to those applying for the first time and families who did not receive any support last year. Please note that unfortunately funding is limited, so there is no guarantee of support.
All applicants will receive a letter to advise them of the outcome of their application from 5 July 2019.
Who can apply?
Take a Break can accept applications from either a parent or carer of a disabled child, or from a disabled young person in their own right, but they can only accept one application per household or family unit. Take a Break reserves the right to prioritise a young person’s application over any other application made by the same household.
For parent/carer
If you can say ‘Yes’ to the following, Take a Break may be able to offer a grant:
- I have lived in Scotland continuously for six months or longer
- I am a UK resident and have recourse to public funds
- I am caring for a disabled or seriously ill child or young person aged 0-20 years who lives at home with me
- My child or young person is not subject to a care order.
For young people
If you can say ‘Yes’ to the following, Take a Break may be able to offer a grant:
- I have lived in Scotland continuously for six months or longer
- I am a UK resident and have recourse to public funds
- I am a young disabled person aged 16-20 years applying in my own right.
Please be aware you will be asked to attach copies of the following documents later on in this form :
- Child's current DLA or PIP award
- Additional Support Plan (ASP)
- Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP)
- Individual Education Plan (IEP)
Please note this fund is administered by Take a Break, not the Carers Centre
Caring for Carers 2019 event
Thank you to all of you who came to the Caring for Carers event at Borders College in April. It was a wonderful day, and a great opportunity to meet up with other carers, hear from professionals and also pet some pretty amazing animals!
The feedback from the day was incredibly positive with 97% of you rating the event as Excellent or Very Good. You all reported that you had thoroughly enjoyed the day, with the most enjoyable part of the day being the opportunity to meet with other carers, and have plenty time to sit, relax and chat with each other. You also loved the opportunity for a relaxing pamper and also a cuddle with the beautiful, friendly alpacas from Velvet Hall in Innerleithen!
You also said you really enjoyed the discussions around what was working well, and what needs more work, in the Scottish Borders since the Act went live. It was really encouraging to hear that there is a general feeling that there is more understanding of carers and carer stress, as well as better opportunities to access short breaks and information. We have also listened to the message that more training is required in certain areas such as GP surgeries and with paid carers, and are currently working on plans to address these issues.
The full report will be available soon, but in the meantime, here are some photographs and quotes from the day. We look forward to seeing you all again next year.
The feedback from the day was incredibly positive with 97% of you rating the event as Excellent or Very Good. You all reported that you had thoroughly enjoyed the day, with the most enjoyable part of the day being the opportunity to meet with other carers, and have plenty time to sit, relax and chat with each other. You also loved the opportunity for a relaxing pamper and also a cuddle with the beautiful, friendly alpacas from Velvet Hall in Innerleithen!
You also said you really enjoyed the discussions around what was working well, and what needs more work, in the Scottish Borders since the Act went live. It was really encouraging to hear that there is a general feeling that there is more understanding of carers and carer stress, as well as better opportunities to access short breaks and information. We have also listened to the message that more training is required in certain areas such as GP surgeries and with paid carers, and are currently working on plans to address these issues.
The full report will be available soon, but in the meantime, here are some photographs and quotes from the day. We look forward to seeing you all again next year.
"Just loved it!" "Thank you for combining the event with therapies, which I enjoyed very much" "Good day out. Very well planned. Good to meet new and old friends" "Very supportive, good fun, nice respite" "Really enjoyed the day and the interaction with other carers" "Loved meeting the alpacas, the pampering and free time"
Delivery of disability assistance to start in 2020
Timetable for remaining devolved benefits outlined
Responsibility for all devolved benefits, including their funding, will sit with the Scottish Government from 1 April next year, with delivery for disability benefits rolled out shortly after.
Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville today told Parliament how:
The system will have a redesigned application process and significantly fewer face to face assessments, which will be carried out through the agency by qualified assessors and audio-recorded as standard. There will be rolling awards with no set end points and those with fluctuating health conditions will not face additional reviews due to regular changes in needs related to their condition. We will also move the burden of collecting information from the client to Social Security Scotland.
Ms Somerville said:
“Since the Social Security Act was passed by the Scottish Parliament in June last year, progress has been swift.
“Our first priority was to deliver for carers, and we have already – through the Carers Allowance Supplement – paid out over £33 million to more than 77,000 carers.
“I have been delighted with the success of Best Start Grant which has put £2.7 million into the pockets of more than 7,000 families in Scotland – more in the first two months of operation than the DWP benefit it replaced paid out in a year.
“Our next priority is delivering payments for disabled people, as this is where we can make the most meaningful difference for the largest number of people”.
Background
A copy of the Cabinet Secretary’s full statement is available here
The timetable for the delivery of devolved benefits is:
You can read the full Scottish Government press release here
A full suite of position papers that outlines the work undertaken to determine upon the delivery schedule is available here
A Q&A on devolved benefits is available here
Timetable for remaining devolved benefits outlined
Responsibility for all devolved benefits, including their funding, will sit with the Scottish Government from 1 April next year, with delivery for disability benefits rolled out shortly after.
Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville today told Parliament how:
- New claims for disability assistance for children and young people will start in summer 2020
- Claims for older people’s disability payments will open by the end of 2020
- Disability benefits for Working Age People - the Scottish replacement of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - will open early in 2021
The system will have a redesigned application process and significantly fewer face to face assessments, which will be carried out through the agency by qualified assessors and audio-recorded as standard. There will be rolling awards with no set end points and those with fluctuating health conditions will not face additional reviews due to regular changes in needs related to their condition. We will also move the burden of collecting information from the client to Social Security Scotland.
Ms Somerville said:
“Since the Social Security Act was passed by the Scottish Parliament in June last year, progress has been swift.
“Our first priority was to deliver for carers, and we have already – through the Carers Allowance Supplement – paid out over £33 million to more than 77,000 carers.
“I have been delighted with the success of Best Start Grant which has put £2.7 million into the pockets of more than 7,000 families in Scotland – more in the first two months of operation than the DWP benefit it replaced paid out in a year.
“Our next priority is delivering payments for disabled people, as this is where we can make the most meaningful difference for the largest number of people”.
Background
A copy of the Cabinet Secretary’s full statement is available here
The timetable for the delivery of devolved benefits is:
- In 2019, Best Start Grant, Funeral Expense Assistance, and the Young Carer Grant will be delivered
- The brand new Job Grant, which we are currently consulting on, will help young people moving back into employment
- In summer 2020, Social Security Scotland will open to new claims for Disability Assistance for Children and Young People, our replacement for Child Disability Living Allowance
- By end 2020, children who receive the highest care component of Disability Assistance will also be entitled to Winter Heating Assistance
- By end 2020, Social Security Scotland will open to new claims for Disability Assistance for Older People, our replacement for Attendance Allowance, for people over the state pension age who need someone to help look after them because of a disability or long-term illness
- In early 2021, Social Security Scotland will open to new claims for the most complex form of Disability Assistance for Working Age People, our replacement for the UK Government’s Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- By the end of 2021 Social Security Scotland will also open to new claims for Carer’s Assistance, our replacement for Carer’s Allowance, folding together that benefit, Carer’s Allowance Supplement and additional money for carers of more than one disabled child in a way that meets carers’ needs
- end of 2021 - Winter Heating Assistance and Cold Spell Heating Assistance delivered to some eligible recipients in their current form and to those in receipt of assistance from Social Security Scotland. An agency agreement will mean the DWP processes payments for the remaining recipients, with Social Security Scotland growing the caseload year on year.
You can read the full Scottish Government press release here
A full suite of position papers that outlines the work undertaken to determine upon the delivery schedule is available here
A Q&A on devolved benefits is available here
Consultation on the regulations for timescales for Adult Carer Support Plans and Young Carer Statements
The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 became law on the 1st April 2018. The Act requires Scottish Ministers to set timescales for preparing adult carer support plans (ACSPs) and young carer statements (YCSs) for carers of people who are terminally ill with a life expectancy of up to 6 months.
The government is currently consulting on the development of these regulations and are keen to hear the views of carers and the organisations that support them.
The National Carer Organisations have put together a short survey which sets out the key questions with a short explanation. It shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes to complete.
The responses from the survey will form part of the National Carer Organisations submission to the consultation.
You can find the survey here
If you wish to submit your own response to the Scottish Government, you can find full details of the consultation here
The government is currently consulting on the development of these regulations and are keen to hear the views of carers and the organisations that support them.
The National Carer Organisations have put together a short survey which sets out the key questions with a short explanation. It shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes to complete.
The responses from the survey will form part of the National Carer Organisations submission to the consultation.
You can find the survey here
If you wish to submit your own response to the Scottish Government, you can find full details of the consultation here
Help to buy your own home
New scheme for people with disabilities/low income families. Disabled people with a housing need can receive up to 40% of the price of a home with the Scottish Government LIFT scheme.
See here for full details.
See here for full details.
Planning to fly with a disability?
In partnership with the UK Civil Aviation Authority Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for disabled people have produced a film that gives wheelchair users, especially powered wheelchair users, information and insights about travelling by air and the support available. See full information here.
The Borders Carers Centre, Brewerybrig, Low Buckholmside, Galashiels TD1 1RT 01896 752431
