Lanarkshire’s two health and social care partnerships have commissioned Lanarkshire Carers to support the completion of adult carer support plans.
Health and social care partnerships must offer support plans to anyone identified as an unpaid carer, or any unpaid carer who requests one.
Support plans helps to establish and record an adult carer’s:
- identified personal outcomes;
- identified need (if any);
- support (if any) to be provided to meet identified needs.
Now both of Lanarkshire partnerships have engaged Lanarkshire Carers to support completion of plans in specific circumstances.
In addition, Lanarkshire Carers has been commissioned to provide information, advice and a range of direct support services free of charge for all local carers.
Individual outcomes are identified in partnership with the carer during the series of discussions aimed at meeting the needs they identify. Having these conversations allows carers to determine their own support needs and think about how they might maintain a life out-with their caring responsibilities.
Diane Fraser, head of adult social work, Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire, said: “This agreement between both partnerships and Lanarkshire Carers is testament to the strong working relationships already established between all three organisations.
“This is excellent news for adult carers across North Lanarkshire, and Lanarkshire as a whole. It means that adult carers will have their views and needs recorded and plans put in place to support them in the ways they want to be supported.”
Ian Beattie, head of health and social care, South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “This is a fantastic development for carers as well as staff from all three organisations.
“It is especially valuable for staff as it defines the mutual understanding and expectations between partners to ensure the effective delivery of adult carer support plans for adult carers across Lanarkshire.”
Fiona Diffin, carer services assistant manager, Lanarkshire Carers, said: “Our expertise enables partnership with social work teams, referring to them when the carer’s needs are known to be, or are likely to be critical and substantial. This helps ensure carers get the right support at the right time.”
