Parent Carers
Do you have a child, or parental responsibility for a child, with special needs, a disability or life-limiting condition? If so, you are not alone!
The Borders Carers Centre can offer dedicated one-to-one support, information, advice and a 'helping hand' through the maze of services ensuring both your rights and the rights of your children are recognised. You can also join our Parent Carer Working Group which aims to give parent carers a voice in the planning and design of services for children with additional needs.
Contact us to arrange a Carers Support Plan to identify and support your needs.
See below for useful links to grants, holidays, respite, days out and help and advice.
The Borders Carers Centre can offer dedicated one-to-one support, information, advice and a 'helping hand' through the maze of services ensuring both your rights and the rights of your children are recognised. You can also join our Parent Carer Working Group which aims to give parent carers a voice in the planning and design of services for children with additional needs.
Contact us to arrange a Carers Support Plan to identify and support your needs.
See below for useful links to grants, holidays, respite, days out and help and advice.
Contact:
Contact Andrea, the Young Adult and Parent Carer Worker
07502 131 609 (mob)
01896 752431 (direct line)
or by email
"Having a child with additional needs is exhausting, frustrating and very wonderful. I just wasn't coping, and felt really unsupported. No-one was listening and then my Dr referred me to the Carers Centre. What a lifesaver. For all of us"
Carer Eyemouth
Carer Eyemouth
Download our Information booklets below:

Children's Services | |
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Useful Contacts | |
File Size: | 283 kb |
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Young Adult Carers | |
File Size: | 310 kb |
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Young Carers (under 17) in The Scottish Borders are supported by Action for Children.
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Rights of children with additional support needs | |
File Size: | 2073 kb |
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Online creative resources for carers. The first section is a list of downloadable apps, and the second section is a list of website links. Both lists have been organised by artform and type of activity
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Useful Links
Information/Support Available |
Link |
Contact provides support, advice and information for families with disabled children, no matter what their condition or disability. |
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Information about benefits and grants relevant to your situation. |
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Legal duties in relation to your disabled child |
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The Scottish Law Centre provides free legal advice for and about children and young people. |
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Children 1st - Parentline is for anyone caring for or concerned about a child, but it’s not just for parents – They also take calls from grandparents, uncles, aunts, family friends, neighbours and professionals. |
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Local charity providing a volunteering/befriending service for socially isolated children, young people and adults with learning disabilities. |
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BANG (Borders Additional Needs Group) for families with children with additional , complex or rare conditions, |
http://www.bordersadditionawww.bordersadditionalneeds.org/lneeds.org/ |
Child Disability payment (Scotland) |
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GIRFEC (Getting it right for every child) is the national approach in Scotland to improving the outcomes and supporting the wellbeing of children and young people |
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Scottish Borders Children's Services Directory |
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Scottish Borders Council Young Carers information |
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Children's Hospices across Scotland |
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The UK's largest provider of specialist autism services |
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Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) |
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Children in Scotland |
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Scottish Borders Council Additional Support for Learning |
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Stable Life provides a safe, nurturing and learning experience using the horse and its environment to help young people reach their full potential and achieve their aspirations and dreams. |
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The Tweeddale Rideability Group |
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Talking about Tomorrow - Preparing parents in Scotland for Transition. |
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Contact in Scotland - news,information and events for parent carers of disabled children in Scotland |
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Power of Attorney |
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The Scottish advice service for additional support in learning. |
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Lead Scotland is a charity which provides learning, befriending and helpline services for disabled people and carers. |
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National Parent Forum of Scotland |
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Credit Action |
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Sight Loss |
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Cauldwell Children |
Grants
Type of Grant |
Link |
Grants for short breaks for the carers of disabled children, young people and their families. |
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Family Fund is the UK's largest charity providing grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people. |
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The Boparan Charitable Trust |
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John Watson Trust has grants for young people under 21 who have a physical and/or learning disability and who are socially disadvantaged. Grants for educational purposes such as school equipment, bus passes, school trips (School needs to apply) |
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Cauldwell Children |
Holidays/Respite
Type |
Link |
Calvert Trust Keilder - Holidays, days out and experiences for disabled people, their families and carers |
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The Daisy Chain Programme - Respite Holiday for children with special needs and their families. Can also accommodate families who have lost a child and need a peaceful break. |
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Holidays for children with disabilities and special needs. |
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Summer Holiday Camps in the Scottish Borders for P1 to P7 aged children |
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Local respite for children with additional needs and disabilities. |
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Music Project for all |
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Shared Care - Accessible short breaks and accommodation |
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Salvation Army - Access to a caravan holiday at Southerness Holiday Park for carers @ £30 per week. See here for more details, then contact us to make a referral on your behalf. Please note these holidays are taken up well in advance, and you may need to book a year before you wish to travel. |
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Merlin's Magic Wand children's charity |
Please also see our Respitality page for more information about breaks, gifts and time out for you. |
National Discounts for carers
Type of Discount |
Further information |
Cinema CEA card An annual card you pay for that gets a carer a free ticket when they accompany the person they care for. |
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English Heritage has free admission for carers who are supporting the person they care for during their visit. |
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Max card gives free admission to attractions for looked after children, children with complex needs, their friends and family. |
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Merlin annual pass has a complimentary pass for carers. |
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National Trust has an ‘Access for all Admit One Card’ that allows you free entry if you are with the person you care for. |
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Carers travel free If the person you care for has a National Entitlement Card and they need your help when they travel by bus then you will be able to travel with them for free. |

UNRC (UN Convention on the Rights of the Child) summary | |
File Size: | 75 kb |
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* Please see our Privacy Statement here which explains when and why we collect personal information; how we use it, keep it secure and in what circumstances we may share it with other organisations.