Carers

Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership aims to support unpaid carers in partnership with local Carer Support Organisations, carer representatives and wider third sector partners working to support carers.

The focus is on having good conversations and asking you, as a carer what you need to improve your life as well as what support you require to continue in your caring role.

• Who is a Carer?
• Carer Support
• Carers Support Framework
• Short Breaks
• Carers Strategy
• Get Involved

Who is a Carer?

A carer helps to look after their loved ones who are often family members or friends who may be affected by disability, poor physical or mental health, frailty, or substance use.

They are not paid for the care or support they provide as it is out with a work contract or a voluntary work contract however they may be in receipt of welfare benefits, pensions or income from other types of employment.

Carer Support

The Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership provides funding locally for specific carer support which is there to assist you throughout your caring journey. These are:

• Citizens Advice Bureau / Unpaid Carers Project
• Falkirk & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre
• Mobilise / Online Carer Support
• SDS Forth Valley – Providing information about Self Directed Support
• Stirling Carers Centre

Further information on these services and wider support available within Clackmannanshire and Stirling is available on the local Carers Support Pack.

Any service can be added to the Carer Support Pack however it is important to highlight that the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership are not promoting or endorsing services on this list. The Carers Support Pack encourages a self-management approach to maintain your own health and wellbeing and to support you in your caring role. It is advisable that you do your own enquiries to ensure your choice is the best fit for your needs and to check the standards of the services.

When registering with the local Carers Centres you will be offered either an Adult Carer Support Plan or Young Carers Statement to identify your needs and personal outcomes, this is your right as a carer.  You can register with either of the Carers Centres below and access a variety of support that meet your individual needs as a carer:

Carer Support Framework (Carers Eligibility Criteria)

The Carers Support Framework includes information for you as a carer and determines carers eligibility for support, this is used locally by carer support organisations as well as adult and children services.

You can access the Carer Support Framework here to see the support you are eligible for.

Short Breaks

The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 requires local authorities to prepare and publish a short breaks services statement that sets out short breaks available for carers and their loved ones that they care for.

You can access Short Breaks Services here.

The local Short Breaks Service can also provide you with information and guidance to help access a break from your caring role. If you would like to have a chat please contact: sbs@stirling.gov.uk or call 01786 237886

Carers Strategy

Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership are currently working on the revised local Carers strategy which will be available here once the consultation begins and will align with Scotland’s National Carer Strategy, published in December 2022.

The National Carers strategy focuses on five different aspects of unpaid carer support, these being:

• Living with COVID-19
• Recognising, valuing and involving carers
• Health and social care support
• Social and financial inclusion
• Young carers

View the strategy here.

Get Involved

As a carer there are many ways you can have your say across Clackmannanshire and Stirling and the Health and Social Care Partnership encourages you to participate in the Local Carers Strategy in June 2025 which will be available here for comment.