East Lothian Council have a duty, under the Carers Act (Scotland) 2016, to provide an advice, information and support service for unpaid carers caring for people in East Lothian. Carers of East Lothian are the current providers of this service. The current contract started in 2021 and was for a maximum of four years and so now needs to be renewed through a tendering process. East Lothian Council invited bids for this contract. Carers of East Lothian have submitted a bid for this contract.
The advice, information and support service provision will include:
– Raising awareness of unpaid carers and encouraging identification
– Provision of advice, information and support
– Benefit and income maximisation support
– Offering and supporting carers to complete Adult Carer Support Plans
– Opportunities for peer support
– Supporting carers to access breaks from caring
– Linking carers into local community supports
– Provision of a counselling service to carers
– Offer of training opportunities for unpaid carers
– Awareness raising amongst the workforce to ensure carers are respected and valued as Equal partners in care
– Promoting Carers collective voice.
There will be no interruption to the services that carers receive during this process.
If you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on centre@coel.org.uk or 01316650135.
We will continue to provide updates on this when we have more information.