We developed the guides in partnership with NHS Education for Scotland, the Carers Trust and Coalition of Carers, to provide advice and information which may support you in your role.
Welcoming the new guides Scottish Social Services Council Chief Executive, Lorraine Gray said: ‘The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many challenges and pressures for unpaid carers who might not have been able to access support in the usual way.
‘These new guides will help carer support staff who have a role in supporting unpaid carers to continue delivering that support, while also looking after themselves.’
Working in partnership
Claire Cairns, Coalition of Carers said:
‘COVID-19 has brought additional challenges to many groups within society, none more so than unpaid carers. Local carer support organisations have done a tremendous job in adapting their services to ensure carers have been able to access the practical and emotional support they need at this time. But we also need to recognise the added pressures on staff who are supporting carers through stressful and emotional situations on a daily basis.
‘These resources have been developed specifically for carer support staff, to encourage them to look after themselves and to provide them with the information and tools to support their own emotional wellbeing, as well as providing signposting to additional support where it is needed.’
Karen Martin, Carers Trust Scotland added:
‘As we move through the changing landscape of the ‘new normal’, many people are still adjusting to the changes made by the lockdown and work practices. Carer services, which provide support to unpaid carers of all ages across Scotland, are among those dealing with such changes to work practice and home life.
‘Working in partnership, the SSSC and NHS Education for Scotland have given the National Carer Organisations an opportunity to develop resources specifically for carer support staff to use as and when needed with the intention of staff taking time to look after themselves in these uncertain times.
‘The joint working has been a great example of the use of digital technology and sharing of ideas and information between statutory and third sector organisations to the mutual benefit of all, and helped raise awareness of issues affecting unpaid carers as well.’
Morag Ferguson, NHS Education for Scotland said:
‘It has been a privilege to work with colleagues from the Scottish Social Services Council and the National Carers Organisations to produce this resource. We took a collaborative approach, and in doing so were able to learn so much with and from each other. Centred on the needs of carer support staff and in recognition of the huge contribution they make, this resource is about supporting staff to take care of themselves, which is even more important in these uncertain times.’
COVID-19 resources
These guides are part of a range of bite-size resources we have developed to support the workforce during the pandemic.
You can find the new carer support staff resources here:
It's all about you
Carers death, dying and bereavement
All our COVID-19 resources are on our Learning Zone: https://learn.sssc.uk.com/coronavirus/carers/