Falkirk Carers Strategy 2023 – 2026

Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership have now published the updated 2023 – 2026 version of the Falkirk Carers Strategy.

The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 became law on 1 April 2018 and places duties on Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership and Falkirk Council to support unpaid carers in their caring role. These duties include preparing a carers strategy with particular focus on the local area. This local strategy supports the delivery of the National Carers Strategy, is reviewed every three years, and is for all Adult Carers and Young Carers in Falkirk.

You can access the Carers Strategy and other relevant documents by visiting: falkirkhscp.org/publications/#carers

 

Falkirk Carers Strategy Consultations

Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership are currently consulting for a new Carers Strategy – a list of things we know are important to carers and the ways we can try to make things better.

There are two consultations open – one for adult carers, and one for young carers and young adult carers. The surveys will close Friday 23 December 2022.

You can complete the adult carers strategy consultation and find out more by clicking here.

To complete the young carer & young adult carer strategy consultation, click here.

If you have any further questions or would prefer a paper copy, please contact: carers@falkirk.gov.uk.

Join the Falkirk Integration Joint Board (IJB)!

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS: Friday 26th August

Recruitment of the Carer Representative for the Integration Joint Board

Background

The Integration Joint Board (IJB) for the Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership is made up of representatives from NHS Forth Valley, Third Sector representatives, service users and carers. It has responsibility for the planning, resourcing, and the operational oversight of a wide range of local health and social care services.

Why we need you

Over the last two years carer representatives or their substitutes have contributed to the workings of both the Integration Joint Board & the Strategic Planning Group.

In line with the governance arrangements of the Board, the partnership seek nominations for selection of a carer representative for the next three-year term of office.

Benefits

  • Being the voice of local carers
  • Helping shape local services for carers and those they care for
  • Fantastic opportunities for personal development

The role requires the representative to:

  • Attend 4 IJB meetings & associated meetings (development days) per year
  • Update and feedback to the Falkirk Carers’ Voices meetings
  • Support consultations with local carers

The Carers Centre will support you in your role as the IJB carer representative, and expenses incurred in the role will be covered.

How to apply

Tell us in 200 hundred words on why you think you should be the Integration Joint Board representative.

Want to know more?

If you wish to discuss this, please contact Susan Docherty, Carer Involvement & Engagement Lead at the Carers Centre, Falkirk.

Email: susandocherty@centralcarers.co.uk

Telephone: 07818 592990/01324 611510

Health & Social Care Training

Do you want to represent your community and inform how health and social care is delivered in Falkirk?

We are looking for carers and people who use health and social care services to become representatives and join a range of groups to help ensure that lived experience is central to planning and decision making.

Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership have teamed up with key organisations to deliver free training so you have everything you need to take part, feel supported and share your ideas, and together we can design services that reflect your needs.

What can I expect from the training?

  1. Once training is completed, individuals will feel empowered.
  2. The training will be easily digestible and relevant to the individual’s area.
  3. The training will develop on new and existing skills of the individual.
  4. Individuals will have the ability to represent their own views while remaining objective and able to speak on other people’s behalf.
  5. Individuals will improve their conversation/decision-making skills.
  6. Those who participate will be involved in follow-up discussion to help frame future training sessions.
  7. Individuals will feel motivated to carry on engagement and make a positive difference in their area.

Who is this training suitable for?

  • People with lived experience of health and social care.
  • People with an interest in health and social care.
  • People who want to join a supportive community.
  • People who are willing to share their ideas and experience to create positive change.
  • People who are willing to take on an advocacy role and represent their wider community.
  • People who want to make a difference to improve health and social care in their communities.

When will the training be delivered?

  • Wednesday 27 April, 10.30am – 1pm
  • Wednesday 4 May, 10.30am – 1pm
  • Wednesday 11 May, 10.30am – 1pm

Each session will include a 15-minute break. You will also have opportunities to ask questions and to get involved in discussions.

How do I sign up?

Registration is now open so click the link here to book your space.

What is the training like?

When we delivered this training for carer representatives in March 2021, they found the training informative and enjoyable. They told us:

  • “Really interesting course.”
  • “Good to hear about how things work in social work, it seems complex.”
  • “I hadn’t seen myself as a carer but now see myself as an advocate to other carers.”
  • “Course has good content and timings were good.”
  • “I learned a lot – found the negotiation part really interesting.”
  • “Gave me confidence to speak out.”

Do I have to become a representative if I sign up to the training?

There is no commitment to join as a carer or service user representative when you sign up for the training sessions. This training is your opportunity to learn how you can make a meaningful contribution to the Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership, as well as meet other people just like you.

If you decide to become a representative, then ongoing support will be provided so you can get the most out of your experience.

Do I need any special skills or qualifications?

You don’t need any prior qualifications or skills. We will cover everything you need to know in the training.

I want to get involved. How do I sign up again?

Complete the registration form by clicking the link here. We know you have opinions about health and social care, so this is your opportunity to shape how we deliver our services. Further information will be provided in due course.

If you have any questions, email HSCPComms@falkirk.gov.uk.

We hope to see you at the training.

Forum Feb 2020 agenda image

Falkirk Carers Forum on Wednesday 19 February 2020

Please join us for our next meeting of the Falkirk Carers Forum on

  • Wednesday 19 February 2020 at Trinity Church, Falkirk
  • 10.45 am to 1 pm followed by a buffet lunch

The meeting will include a presentation by Marina Harper from Caesar & Howie on the Accident Claims Service, which, in conjunction with Age Scotland, seeks to give older people in Scotland a fairer service when it comes to making a personal injury claim. There will also be an opportunity for carers to discuss and request future forum topics and speakers. A link to the meeting agenda can be found below.

To book a place please email susandocherty@centralcarers.co.uk or telephone the Centre in Falkirk on 01324 611 510.

February 2020 Carers Forum Agenda.

 

The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 – What to expect …

1 April 2019 marked the first anniversary of the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016. To find out about the rights that carers in Scotland have as a result of the Act, check out the Coalition of Carers quick guide below.

To speak to someone about your rights as a carer, or to request an Adult Carer Support Plan, please contact the Centre.

Consultation on Clackmannanshire and Stirling Carers Strategy

As part of the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016, Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) are required to produce a local Carers Strategy which outlines the vision and priorities for unpaid carers.
 
A consultation took place when the Strategy was initially drafted last year. The Strategy is now in its draft stage, and Clackmannanshire and Stirling (HSCP) are looking to consult on it further before finalising and publishing the Strategy at the end of March.
 
This consultation focuses on the specific priorities contained within the Strategy, and asks you to give your thoughts and opinions on them, as well as provide comments on anything else that you feel is appropriate.  You can read the draft Carers Strategy here. Clackmannanshire and Stirling HSCP would be grateful if you are able to spend a short time to complete the survey, which can be accessed by clicking here.
 

Falkirk Carers Forum on Wednesday 22 August 2018

Please join us for our next meeting of the Falkirk Carers Forum on

  • Wednesday 22 August 2018 at Trinity Church, Falkirk
  • 10.45 am to 1 pm followed by a buffet lunch

The meeting will include an update on the local Short Breaks Statement.  The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 which came into force on 1 April 2018 will place a new duty on local authorities to prepare and publish a Short Breaks Services Statement.  There will be an opportunity to discuss the local Short Breaks statement which will provide carers and the person they care for with information about the short breaks services available locally and across Scotland.

To book a place:

Email: clairecrossan@centralcarers.co.uk or telephone the Centre in Falkirk.