Caring for unpaid carers
We all meet and work with carers every day. By carers we mean people who provide unpaid care to another person – they are the family, friends, partners and neighbours of the people you provide services to. Here you will find Equal Partners in Care and associated resources designed to support learning that enables health and social care staff to identify, support and work with carers as equal partners.
EPiC : caring for unpaid carers overview
Why is this resource for me?
In your job it’s highly likely that you come into direct contact with unpaid carers.
By unpaid carers we mean people who provide unpaid support and care to another person. They are the family, friends, partners, neighbours, and colleagues of the people you offer services to...and the role they play is vital.
If you don’t encounter unpaid carers yourself then you probably support other staff who do.
EPiC is intended for all staff who come into direct contact with carers in their day-to-day jobs. It is also intended for anyone with a workforce education and learning role, and/or managers who support the workforce to improve outcomes for carers and the people they care for.
This resource has been designed with the understanding that different professionals will have varying levels of opportunity to engage with carers in their roles.
What will I find in the resource?
This resource will help you (and the staff or students you support) to better understand your role and responsibilities to support unpaid carers.
You will have the opportunity to explore:
- who unpaid carers are,
- why it is important to identify them,
- the impact of caring on unpaid carers,
- how to have better conversations and interactions with unpaid carers and
- resources you can use to direct unpaid carers to support.
At a minimum, the intention is that any member of staff will:
• understand what a carer is and be able to identify unpaid carers and young carers
• understand that every conversation with an unpaid carer can make a difference to them
• know that carer support is available and be able to make links for the unpaid carer.
What is the aim of this resource?
The aim is to make a positive difference and improve outcomes for unpaid carers…and the people they care for.
Promotional items
We have produced some mouse mats and tote bags to promote the use of EPiC. In addition, you will see in the resources section below a leaflet and set of postcards. If you would like some of these or the promotional items to share with colleagues please email nes.carers@nhs.scot
Resources
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Equal Partners in Care (EPiC) is a learning resource for health and social care staff which will help you (and the staff or students you support) to have better conversations and interactions with carers. The aim is to make a positive difference...
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This guide is supplementary to Equal Partners in Care (EPiC) and should be used alongside it. It provides a structured approach to support individuals and teams to identify the sections, pages and activities of EPiC that are most relevant to their...
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caring for unpaid carers
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caring for unpaid carers
Note: You will need to login with your Turas account to view this document below:
Carer involvement in hospital discharge: Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 The aim of this resource is to help make staff aware of their responsibilities in ensuring NHS boards meet the duty to involve carers in the discharge of the cared for person from hospital. This duty is set out in Part 4, section 28 of the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016. This duty relates to unpaid carers who provide practical, physical and emotional support to family and friends.
This account is the same as your Turas Appraisal account. If you do not have an account then please register for a free Turas account.
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The aim of this resource is to help make staff aware of their responsibilities in ensuring NHS boards meet the duty to involve carers in the discharge of the cared for person from hospital. This duty is set out in Part 4, section 28 of the Carers...
Videos
Making young carers feel visible, valued and supported webinar - 2022
Do you meet young carers through your role in health and social care? Do you know what a young carer looks like? Or, what to do once you know someone is a young carer? Watch our webinar recording to hear from Carers Trust Scotland, young carer support workers, NES and young carers themselves to find the answer to these questions and more.
See me include me support me - 2022
This is a short animation video to support the health and care workforce in having a better understanding of how to include and support young carers
Animation: Equal Partners in Care - Caring for Carers
This short animation will help health and social care staff recognise and reflect on opportunities they have to recognise and support unpaid carers – the essential first step to working alongside carers as equal partners in care.
Webinar: Caring for Young Carers
This recorded webinar provides an introduction to young carers and highlights ways in which health and social care staff can identify and support them.
Webinar: Carers: Recognition and Rights. Your contribution matters
This recorded webinar provides an introduction to conversations with carers and to their rights under the Carers (Scotland) 2016.