News
National Care Service (NCS) update
Last week, the Minister for Social Care – Maree Todd outlined the next steps for the National Care Service Bill to the Scottish Parliament.
In summary, the plan to introduce a National Care Board and Local Care Boards will no longer go ahead. Instead, the Scottish Government will introduce a new non-statutory advisory board comprising of people with lived experience of accessing care, social care workers, care providers, trade unions, the NHS and local government. This new advisory board will provide guidance on social care improvement in Scotland, but we don’t have any further details about the specific remit of the group or how the board members will be appointed.
Other provisions such as the Right to Breaks for Carers and Anne’s Law will still be included in the amended National Care Service Bill.
Full statement here
https://www.gov.scot/publications/ministerial-statement-future-of-the-national-care-service
Carers Centre Manager Vacancy
We are seeking a creative, entrepreneurial individual with a successful track record of leadership, ideally as a Manager, to achieve our ambitions as the leading organisation supporting Unpaid Carers throughout the Scottish Borders.
Please see full details and how to apply here
Strategic Plan for unpaid carers sets out new vision for living well in the Scottish Borders
Strategic Plan for unpaid carers sets out new vision for living well in the Scottish Borders | Scottish Borders Council
The Health and Social Care Partnership’s strategic plan for unpaid carers, as approved by the Integration Joint Board earlier in the year, has now been published.
Supporting unpaid carers by getting services right for the cared for person is a strategic objective identified in the Partnership’s Strategic Framework 2023-2026.
Living Well in the Scottish Borders – A Plan for Adult Unpaid Carers 2024-28 (Living Well) sets out a clear vision and approach on how the Partnership aims to meet this objective over the next four years by, for example, focusing on carer identification and recognition and the provision of information, advice and communication for carers.
Living Well was created in partnership with the Borders Carers Centre and Unpaid Carers in the Scottish Borders and was informed by the Carers Needs Assessment, carried out in 2022.
Lynn Gallacher, Chief Executive Officer at Borders Carers Centre
“The Carers Centre, along with unpaid carers, has had a key role in the development of Living Well which we hope will be a positive step forward in ensuring that unpaid carers living in our area feel recognised, informed, valued and well supported, with the right support at the right time not only for themselves but also for those they are caring for.”
Chris Myers, Chief Officer of the Scottish Borders Health and Social Care Partnership
“Living Well is a brilliant step in helping us better support unpaid carers in the Scottish Borders. The input of unpaid carers in this plan has been essential in creating a vision of a Scottish Borders, which recognises and listens to carers as our partners. Their contribution has also helped us identify clear steps to take in our plan, to improve how we work and help ensure that all unpaid carers and the people they care for can live their lives to the full.”
Living Well is available to download at: www.scotborders.gov.uk/livingwell2024-28
To find out more about support currently available for unpaid carers, visit: www.scotborders.gov.uk/carers
Local Carers Enjoy Christmas Lunches
Local carers have enjoyed getting together to share lunch and their experiences of 2024 at a series of Christmas lunches across the region. Huge thanks our funders for making local carers Christmas lunch possible.
When asked what this meant to them, carers said:
“It means an awful lot. To be in a relaxed, undemanding place. Being normal with fellow carers for a couple of hours and to be able to enjoy a Christmas treat.”
“It means the world to me to be able to celebrate Christmas with other carers. I can be myself and feel fully understood and supported by other carers. It’s an invaluable experience.”
Scottish Government’s draft budget
This week, the Scottish Government presented their draft budget for 2025/26 to the Scottish Parliament.
We welcome the announcement that the Scottish Government are committed to matching the UK Government by raising the earnings threshold for Carer Support Payment and Carer’s Allowance to £196, which means carers can earn an extra £45 a week whilst receiving these benefits.
If these proposals in the draft Scottish Budget are accepted by the Scottish Parliament then the changes to the earnings threshold will come into effect from April 2025.
Grants available for families raising disabled children and young people
The Family Fund provide a wide range of grants to families living in Scotland raising a disabled, or seriously ill, child or young person on a low income.
Their Scotland grant programme could help eligible families with essential grant items including kitchen appliances, bedding and furniture, computers and tablets, family breaks, sensory toys or outdoor play equipment.
Apply here
Plans for a National Care Service in Scotland stall again
Along with the other National Carer Organisations in Scotland The Coalition have put together a statement expressing disappointment at the delay.
We are urging all parties in the Scottish Parliament to work together on a solution that puts disabled people and unpaid carers at the heart of any future reform of social care.
To read our statement in full: https://www.carersnet.org/national-carer-organisations…/
Carer Support Payments replaces Carers Allowance
What is Carer Support Payment?In Scotland, Carer Support Payment has replaced Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Workand Pensions (DWP). Carer Support Payment is money for people who look after someone who isdisabled or who has a long-term health condition.Who can apply?To be eligible, a carer must
be 16 or over
provide 35 hours or more of unpaid care a week to someone of any age who is getting certain
disability benefits
earn £151 per week or less on average after some deductions
live in an area where the benefit is available
Borders Carers Centre launch new website
A new website for the Borders Carers Centre!