Health, social care and third sector staff will now get new guidance to identify carers and ensure they get the support they need.
They can improve their skills through Equal Partners in Care, an online resource developed by NHS Education Scotland and Scottish Social Services Council.
The resource, funded by some of the £160,000 from the Scottish Government to NES, will help staff to ensure that carers are identified, supported to manage their caring role, enabled to have a life outside of caring and recognised as equal partners in care.
In welcoming this funding Falkirk West MSP Michael Matheson said:
“I very much welcome this increased funding announcement, during Carers Week. I recognise the hard work that all carers do and value their role in society.
“During a recent visit to the Carers Centre in Falkirk I met with a number of local carers who told me of their experiences of being a carer and the help that the Carers Centre give them.
“Being a full-time carer for a loved one can be a difficult and isolating experience at times and trying to find the right services must not be an extra challenge.
“it is my opinion that this new resource will ensure that frontline workers, across the health, social work and other local agencies, are equipped in their role of supporting carers.
“It is a humbling experience at what Carers are doing in our community and they must not go unnoticed. They have the right to play an equal and active role in care planning and decisions and have valuable knowledge to contribute and any decision will have an impact on their caring role”.
