A carer is a person of any age who provides unpaid help and support to a relative, friend, or neighbour who cannot manage to live independently without help due to frailty, illness, disability or addiction. Some carers provide care all the time, while others provide help for short periods. Some carers support people on a life-long basis, and some provide support temporarily while someone is ill, recovering, or needs a little extra help.
A carer does not need to be living with the person they care for to be considered a carer. Anybody can become a carer at any time in their life, and sometimes for more than one person at a time.
You may not see yourself as a carer, but help is available if you wish to access it.
What support can I access?
Local authorities are required to offer carers either an Adult Carer Support Plan (ACSP) or a Young Carer Statement (YCS) to anyone who meets the local eligibility criteria for unpaid carers.
An ACSP or YCS will help you think about the support you might need as a carer, both now and in the future. The process helps find out more about you, what is important to you, and your caring role. This helps determine who can best provide the support you need, whenever you need it.
You can contact the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre to complete an Adult Carer Support Plan or Young Carer Statement. If the person you care for has a social care worker, you can also ask them to make a referral for you.
If you need funded support, the Carers Centre will ask your permission to refer you to the local social work team. This could help you access support including:
- Short breaks
- Care at home services or equipment for the person you care for
- Welfare benefits advice
- Further info or opportunities through local carer organisations
A short break enables Carers to have time away from their caring routines or responsibility. You may also hear this be called ‘respite care’.
‘Short breaks’ can be either long or short, during the day or overnight. There are many options for taking a break. The cared-for person can be supported either in their own home or away from home, or both the carer and cared-for person can go away together.
Short breaks are available to Carers and those they care for. You don’t not need to live together.
To learn more about short breaks, read Falkirk’s Short Breaks Services Guide or get in touch with the Short Breaks Bureau on sbb@falkirk.gov.uk or 01324 504 309.
| Falkirk Short Breaks Services Statement |
| Falkirk Short Breaks Services Guide |
You may be able to apply for Carers Allowance if you provide care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they receive certain benefits.
The Scottish Government also pays a Carers Allowance Supplement for people receiving carers allowance in Scotland. It is paid as a lump sum twice a year. If you are due to get a payment, you will get a letter from Social Security Scotland.
Contact the Carers Centre to get advice on benefits, how to make a claim, and further information on how Carers Allowance could affect other benefits you receive.
The local Carers Centre provides information and support to carers of all ages living in Falkirk district and Clackmannanshire. Services offered include:
- Weekly Carers Cafe
- Men’s Groups
- Parent’s Groups
- Individual support and advice
- Short breaks from caring responsibilities (respite)
- Young carers support (aged 8-18)
If you think you are a carer and would like to know what help you may be able to get, please visit or get in touch on:
- Online: centralcarers.org
- Telephone: 01324 611510
- Email: centre@centralcarers.co.uk
Our approach to Carer Support
The Falkirk Carers Strategy (2023 – 2026) has been developed by Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership in collaboration with Falkirk Council’s children’s services, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carer’s Centre, and CVS Falkirk.
The strategy outlines how we plan to implement The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 and improve support for Carers in the local area over a 3-year period.
Further information