Information for adult carers

This guide provides information on being an adult carer. The legal rights you have, and how to access further information and advice to support you in your caring role.

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Carers of East Lothian  

Carers of East Lothian provides dedicated, confidential and free support for anyone over the age of 18 with a caring responsibility to someone in East Lothian. 

They will offer you as much advice and support as you feel you need, anything from a bit of practical advice to much more support for carers struggling to cope with the physical and emotional demands of caring.

Carers of East Lothian can:

  • provide advice around welfare benefits, either for yourself or the person that you look after
  • provide information and advice around health and social care services
  • provide you with information around housing concerns and adaptations
  • support you through specialist services, including Counselling and legal advice clinics
  • support you to apply for relevant grants, including our Time for Me (Breaks from Caring) Grant
  • help you meet other people in a similar situation through their social events or support groups
  • listen to your concerns in confidence
  • advocate on your behalf

Carers of East Lothian can meet you in their offices, in your home or in another suitable venue.

Visit the Carers of East Lothian website
 

Downloadable advice leaflets 

Carers of East Lothian have a range of information leaflets which outline the services they offer.  These leaflets include:

  • Who Carers of East Lothian are and their services
  • Help with welfare benefits
  • Caring for someone with mental health issues
  • Accessing breaks from your caring role
  • Counselling services 
  • How to get involved with Carers of East Lothian (volunteering opportunities)
  • Support groups and activities programme
  • Power of attorney guidance 
  • Requesting an Adult Carer Support Plan
  • Legal advice 
  • Useful contacts 

To access any of the leaflets / guides above visit:

Carers of East Lothian | Welcome Information

 

Support from East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership

ELHSCP can offer support to the person you care for or to you, following an assessment of your needs. 

To request an assessment you should contact the East Lothian social work department on 01875 824309 or email communityaccess@eastlothian.gov.uk

 During your assessment your social worker will:

  • Assess your level of need
  • See if you are eligible for support, including financial support
  • Provide information and advice around options available to you

In order to qualify for a service from ELHSCP you must be assessed as having critical or substantial needs as defined in our eligibility criteria.

Carers eligibility criteria 

You will be offered advice and information about how you wish to arrange and finance any care support.  This process is known as self-directed support (SDS).  SDS is a way of ensuring people are given choice and control over what kind of support they get.  It provides an opportunity for individuals to choose and arrange some or all of their care support, with support and advice from the Adult Social Work teams.

Guide to Self Directed Support in East Lothian

A further guide to SDS is available on the Scottish Government website: Self-directed Support: A Guide for Carers (www.gov.scot)