28 March 2019
The Health and Social Care Partnership and the Children and Young People's Leadership Team have published a joint short breaks statement which provides a guide to the local and national resources available for carers and people who are supported.
The statement has been produced together with adult and young carers from across the area, and aims to help them and the people they support understand what short breaks are, who can access them, what short breaks are available, how short breaks can be accessed and other support that is available.
Chief Officer Health and Social Care Integration, Rob McCulloch-Graham, said: "We estimate that there are approximately 13,455 carers currently providing invaluable care and support across the Borders. Working with our colleagues in children and young people's services and the third sector, we are deeply committed to providing services that support the health and wellbeing of carers as well as enabling them to participate in and contribute to the communities they live in.
"Making sure that all carers have access to information about short breaks is a vital element of that commitment and we would encourage carers to have a look at the statement and the information it contains so they can be fully informed about the resources that are available to support them."
Chair of the Children and Young People's Leadership Team, Stuart Easingwood, added: "The support that young carers provide every day across the Borders should not be underestimated. They are often carrying out significant caring tasks providing care and support to parents, siblings or other family members and it is so important that they can access information about what is available to support them in their own right."
The statement is available to download at: www.scotborders.gov.uk/carers