Provision of a Carer Respite Service

This procurement relates to a Carer Respite Service (the Service) as defined by the Carers Scotland Act 2016 which came into effect on 1 April 2018 and is designed to support Carers’ health and wellbeing, helping them to remain in their caring roles and be able to manage their own life alongside their caring responsibilities. Key aspects of the Act include:

• A duty to develop and offer an adult Carer support plan ; to someone who is identified as a Carer. The support plan must include contingency planning and support Carers to meet their personal outcomes
• A duty to set out and publish local eligibility criteria including recognition that support shall be provided if the eligible criteria are met
• A duty to provide support to Carers who have eligible needs including consideration for short breaks from caring
• Publish a short break statement
• Provide Carers with information and advice services
• Put in place support for Carers at the point of hospital discharge
• Involve both adult and young Carers in the planning of services
• Develop a local adult’s Carer strategy

A Carer is anyone of any age who provides or intends to provide unpaid support and care for another person. They may care for someone who has a terminal illness, disability, a long-term condition, and mental health challenges or is affected by addiction.

Adult Carers and Young Carers in Scotland provide invaluable support to family, friends, and neighbours that they care for. The Partnership recognises the importance of supporting Adult Carers and Young Carers to remain in their caring roles and to be able to manage their own life alongside their caring responsibilities.

The Service is care provided to the cared-for person (Service Users), which replaces care normally given by Carers, and which is provided as a form of support to Carers so the Carers can have a break from caring. This may include “replacement care”.