{"id":19828,"date":"2024-06-11T17:07:15","date_gmt":"2024-06-11T16:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/?page_id=19828"},"modified":"2026-02-04T15:18:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T15:18:26","slug":"edinburgh-carer-support","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/guidelines\/edinburgh-carer-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Edinburgh Carer Support"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Edinburgh Carer Support Team works within the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) to support unpaid carers. The team can provide information and support to carers living in Edinburgh, or carers looking after someone who lives in Edinburgh. However please also see Resources and Links for services available in other parts of Lothian, or which are Lothian-wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Edinburgh Carer Support Team will offer carers an&nbsp;Adult Carer Support Plan (formerly known as Carers Assessment) and guidance in accessing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Grants and benefits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>One to one support and counselling<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Peer support<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Short breaks and replacement care (respite)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Training<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Befriending<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Complementary therapies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emergency planning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Future Care Planning<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We offer support in a way that most suits the needs of the carer. We can provide written or telephone advice or meet carers face to face. Meetings can be held at local carer support organisations or EHSCP premises. We can also offer carers a home visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A carer is generally defined as a person of any age who provides unpaid help and support to a relative, friend or neighbour who cannot manage to live independently without the carers help, due to frailty, illness, disability or addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Often people are unsure if they are a carer as they see themselves as a spouse, son, daughter, sibling or friend. It can be helpful to consider these questions about the person they look after:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Could the person being cared for manage day-to-day life on their own?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Could they cope without the help and support of the carer?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does the carer have enough time to look after themselves properly?<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-column.kb-section-dir-horizontal > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kt-info-box19828_a4195d-23 .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap{max-width:unset;}.kt-info-box19828_a4195d-23 .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap{border-top:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-right:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-bottom:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-left:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-top-left-radius:30px;border-top-right-radius:30px;border-bottom-right-radius:30px;border-bottom-left-radius:30px;background:#ffffff;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);}.kt-info-box19828_a4195d-23 .kadence-info-box-icon-container .kt-info-svg-icon, .kt-info-box19828_a4195d-23 .kt-info-svg-icon-flip, .kt-info-box19828_a4195d-23 .kt-blocks-info-box-number{font-size:50px;}.kt-info-box19828_a4195d-23 .kt-blocks-info-box-media{background:var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-radius:200px;overflow:hidden;border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;padding-top:20px;padding-right:20px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:20px;}.kt-info-box19828_a4195d-23 .kt-blocks-info-box-media-container{margin-top:0px;margin-right:15px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:15px;}.kt-info-box19828_a4195d-23 .kt-blocks-info-box-media .kadence-info-box-image-intrisic img{border-radius:200px;}.kt-info-box19828_a4195d-23 .kt-infobox-textcontent h2.kt-blocks-info-box-title{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;}.kt-info-box19828_a4195d-23 .kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore{background:transparent;border-width:0px 0px 0px 0px;padding-top:4px;padding-right:8px;padding-bottom:4px;padding-left:8px;margin-top:10px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-info-box19828_a4195d-23 .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap{border-top:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-right:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-bottom:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-left:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-info-box19828_a4195d-23 .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap{border-top:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-right:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-bottom:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-left:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-infobox kt-info-box19828_a4195d-23\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap info-box-link kt-blocks-info-box-media-align-top kt-info-halign-center\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-media-container\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-media kt-info-media-animate-none\"><div class=\"kadence-info-box-icon-container kt-info-icon-animate-none\"><div class=\"kadence-info-box-icon-inner-container\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fe_info kt-info-svg-icon\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><circle cx=\"12\" cy=\"12\" r=\"10\"\/><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"16\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"12\"\/><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"8\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"8\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kt-infobox-textcontent\"><p class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-text\">See <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/files\/sites\/2\/Carer-Champion-training-2026.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/files\/sites\/2\/Carer-Champion-training-2026.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Carer Champion Training for Health and Social Care staff information<\/a>. <br>Sessions run in March, June and October 2026.<\/p><\/div><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>C.M &amp; K.L 11-06-24<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs\" data-active-tab=\"0\"><ul class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-links\"><\/ul>\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title-wrapper\"><a href=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title\">Referral Guidelines<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Who to refer:<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Unpaid carers who are aged 18-years and over and live in Edinburgh or care for someone who lives in Edinburgh. The carer may be just starting to, or already undertaking, a caring role for another person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please refer any carer who wishes support, does not have enough time to look after themselves properly, and where the person being cared for could not manage day-to-day life on their own and couldn\u2019t cope without the help and support of the carer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Who not to refer:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Young carers who are under 18-years of age (for young carer support, please see Edinburgh Young Carers Project: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youngcarers.org.uk\/\">https:\/\/www.youngcarers.org.uk\/<\/a> )<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any paid professional carers or volunteer carers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If in any doubt, please call Carer Support Team helpline on 0131 536 3371 or email <a href=\"mailto:loth.carersupport@nhs.scot\">loth.carersupport@nhs.scot<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to refer:<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>SCI Gateway users can refer under&nbsp;Astley Ainslie Hospital \/ Social Care \/ LI Carer Support<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Complete a&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/intranet.lothian.scot.nhs.uk\/Directory\/Carers\/Documents\/Carer%20Support%20Referral%20Form.doc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">carer support&nbsp;referral form<\/a>&nbsp;with the carer&#8217;s details&nbsp;and send to&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:loth.carersupport@nhs.scot\">loth.carersupport@nhs.scot<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Call 0131 536 3371.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>EHSCP staff can also refer via Swift\/AIS using inbox 7523, referring from the carer&#8217;s record.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title-wrapper\"><a href=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title\">Primary Care Management<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title-wrapper\"><a href=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title\">Resources and Links<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content\">\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/files\/sites\/2\/Carer-Champion-training-2026.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:320px\" aria-label=\"Embed of Carer Champion training 2026.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-bd6a5c08-d745-41cf-be5b-3aa0e5ecabf6\" href=\"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/files\/sites\/2\/Carer-Champion-training-2026.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Carer Champion training 2026<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/files\/sites\/2\/Carer-Champion-training-2026.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-bd6a5c08-d745-41cf-be5b-3aa0e5ecabf6\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Future Care Planning Resources for Community Social Care Teams &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/futurecareplanning\/community-health-and-social-care\/\">https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/futurecareplanning\/community-health-and-social-care\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.edinburghhsc.scot\/carers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.edinburghhsc.scot\/carers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Edinburgh Carer Support Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, Level 1:8<br>Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street<br>Edinburgh EH8 8BG<br>Tel: 0131 536 3371<br>Email:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:carer.support@nhs.scot\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">carer.support@nhs.scot<\/a><strong> <\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Web:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.edinburgh.gov.uk\/carers\/edinburgh-carer-support-team-1\/1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Edinburgh Carer Support Team \u2013 The City of Edinburgh Council<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Care for Carers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Room 4.25<br>St Margaret\u2019s House, 151 London Road<br>Edinburgh EH7 6AE<br>Tel: 0131 661 2077<br>Email:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:enquiries@care4carers.org.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">enquiries@care4carers.org.uk<\/a><br>Web:&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.care4carers.org.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.care4carers.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Edinburgh Carers Council<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For those supporting someone with mental health difficulties, personality disorder or learning disabilities.<br>14 Links Place, Edinburgh EH6 7EZ<br>Tel: 0131 322 8480<br>Email:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:info@edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">info@edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk<\/a><br>Web:&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Edinburgh Young Carers Project<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Norton Park, 57 Albion Road,<br>Edinburgh EH7 5QY<br>Tel: 0131 475 2322<br>Email:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:info@youngcarers.org.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">info@youngcarers.org.uk<\/a><br>Web:&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.youngcarers.org.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.youngcarers.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>MECOPP<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Supporting black and minority ethnic carers.<br>Norton Park, 57 Albion Road<br>Edinburgh EH7 5QY<br>Tel: 0131 467 2994<br>Email:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:info@mecopp.org.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">info@mecopp.org.uk<\/a><br>Web:&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mecopp.org.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.mecopp.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>VOCAL Edinburgh<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>60 Leith Walk, Edinburgh EH6 5HB<br>Tel: 0808&nbsp;196 6666<br>Email:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:centre@vocal.org.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">centre@vocal.org.uk<\/a><br>Web:&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.vocal.org.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.vocal.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Voice Ability<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Provides advocacy for unpaid carers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tel: 0300 303 1660<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Email: <a href=\"mailto:helpline.scotland@voiceability.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">helpline.scotland@voiceability.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Web: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.voiceability.org\/in-scotland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.voiceability.org\/in-scotland<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Support for carers in other NHS Lothian localities:<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>East Lothian<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Carers of East Lothian (CoEL)<br><\/strong>East Lothian Community Hospital<br>Alderston Road<br>Haddington<br>EH41 3PF<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tel: 0131 665 0135<br>Email:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:mailto:centre@coel.org.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">centre@coel.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Midlothian<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>VOCAL Midlothian<\/strong><br>30\/1 Hardengreen Estate<br>Dalhousie Road<br>Dalkeith<br>EH22 3NX<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tel: 0131 663 6869<br>Email: <a href=\"mailto:midlothian@vocal.org.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">midlothian@vocal.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>West Lothian<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Carers of West Lothian<br><\/strong>Sycamore House<br>Quarrywood Court<br>Livingston<br>EH54 6AX Tel: 01506 448000<br>Email: <a href=\"mailto:office@carers-westlothian.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">office@carers-westlothian.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Edinburgh Carer Support Team works within the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) to support unpaid carers. The team can provide information and support to carers living in Edinburgh, or carers looking after someone who lives in Edinburgh. However please also see Resources and Links for services available in other parts of Lothian,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":3664,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1112],"class_list":["post-19828","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-https-apps-nhslothian-scot-refhelp-edinburgh-carer-support"],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"heatherlevy","author_link":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/author\/heatherlevy\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":" <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/category\/socialcare\/https-apps-nhslothian-scot-refhelp-edinburgh-carer-support\/\" rel=\"tag\">Edinburgh Carers Support<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"The Edinburgh Carer Support Team works within the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) to support unpaid carers. The team can provide information and support to carers living in Edinburgh, or carers looking after someone who lives in Edinburgh. However please also see Resources and Links for services available in other parts of Lothian,","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19828","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19828"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19828\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26658,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19828\/revisions\/26658"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3664"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19828"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19828"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}