Advocacy & Casework Support
Advocacy and casework support can help to secure the services and supports carers need to sustain them in their caring role. For example, completing an Adult Carer Support Plan, making applications for welfare benefits and other financial assistance, getting aids and adaptations, support with legal matters such as Guardianship and Power of Attorney or linking with other organisations who offer a range of carer support services.
Our Carer Support Workers can help carers to:
identify what practical, emotional and financial help they need;
make their views and preferences known to professionals;
assist with any applications or assessments for the above;
act as a contact point between the carer and any professionals involved in supporting them; and, refer to other helping agencies.
Our advocacy and casework service can currently be provided in the following languages: Cantonese; Mandarin; Arabic; Hindi; Bengali; Nepali; Punjabi; Urdu; Odiya; and, Madi.
Self-Directed Support (SDS) for Carers
Carers can now get support for themselves under the Social Care (Self-Directed Support) (Scotland) Act (2013). Self-Directed support is how social care is delivered in Scotland. It gives the individual as much choice and control over how that support is delivered as they want.
Our Self-Directed Support Team can provide advice and information to carers and the supported person, arrange for a social work assessment, work with individuals to build a personal support plan, help to identify the right services and local support networks and advocate on your behalf.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/self-directed-support-guide-carers/documents/
To access the Understanding SDS pages, click on the red boxes below:
Understanding SDS - Chinese
Understanding SDS - Urdu
Download:
SDS Community Brokerage Leaflet
Financial Assistance for Carers
Carers can experience financial pressures due to the increased costs of caring. Financial support is available from a variety of sources including welfare benefits, financial assistance funds and charitable grants. We can undertake a welfare benefits check to ensure you are receiving all you are entitled to and make any new applications on your behalf.
We also provide a fortnightly welfare benefits surgery on the second Wednesday of every month between 10.00am – 5.00 pm. Bookings are by appointment and can take place in person at our offices, by telephone or online.
Due to funding arrangements, this service is only available in the following local authority areas:
Advocacy and casework support for Chinese and South Asian carers: City of Edinburgh
Advocacy and casework support for Arabic speaking carers: City of Edinburgh
Advocacy and casework support on Self-Directed Support for Black & Minority Ethnic carers: City of Edinburgh, Mid, East and West Lothian
Advocacy and casework support for Gypsy/Traveller carers: Edinburgh & Lothians, Perth & Kinross, Mid & North Argyll
Advocacy and casework support for Gypsy/Traveller young carers: we are still waiting on confirmation as to whether we have been successful in securing a grant (decision expected by end of March 2023 and if successful, service will begin July 2023)
Advocacy and casework support for Gypsy/Travellers (accommodation and housing): Scotland wide