Lanarkshire Carers Adult Carer Support Plan Partnership Statement

Lanarkshire Carers is commissioned by both University Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire (UHSCNL) and South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership (SLUHSCP) to support the delivery of Adult Carers Support Plans (ACSPs) across Lanarkshire. This joint approach was initially described in a partnership statement produced in 2021.

The statement has been reviewed and refreshed for 2026, building on the existing trust and collaboration between the three organisations and provides a common reference point for mutual understanding and shared expectations.

To ensure carers have quick access to the right support at the right time, Lanarkshire Carers work with colleagues in social work in North and South Lanarkshire to agree and communicate these shared responsibilities.

An Adult Carer Support Plan helps to establish, progress and record an adult carer’s: 

• Identified personal outcomes
• Identified need (if any)
• Support (if any) to be provided to meet identified needs 

The duty to offer and to produce ACSPs lies HSCNL and SLHSCP, both of whom have delegated responsibility to Lanarkshire Carers to support the progression of ACSPs in specific circumstances. This work forms part of the overall responsibilities of Lanarkshire Carers as the only organisation commissioned to provide information, advice and a range of direct support services, free of charge for all adult carers across Lanarkshire.  

Carer Support Workers from Lanarkshire Carers engage in good conversations with carers and discuss the impact of their caring roles. Individual outcomes are identified in partnership with the carer during the series of discussions aimed at meeting the needs that they identify. Having these conversations allows carers to determine their own support needs and think about how they might maintain a life out with their caring responsibilities. When a carer’s needs are identified as low or moderate, these conversations and the desired outcomes are recorded in an Adult Carer Support Plan progressed by Lanarkshire Carers. When a carer’s needs are thought to be substantial or critical, or when the carer lives outside Lanarkshire responsibility to progress the ASCP remains with the relevant local authority.  

Barbara McAuley, Lanarkshire Carers, CEO said: “Lanarkshire Carers is pleased to have the updated Partnership Statement for the delivery of Adult Carer Support Plans (ACSPs) 2026 agreed. Lanarkshire Carers works with and for carers to develop and deliver outcome-based support that makes a positive difference to their lives. We are a successful, carer led, inclusive organisation which belongs to and has been governed by carers for over 30 years. We are skilled, experienced and resourced to provide the right support at the right time for carers and this Partnership Statement confirms our responsibilities in relation to ACSPs. Our expertise enables partnership with social work teams, referring to them for ACSPs when the carer’s needs are known to be, or are likely to be critical and substantial. In 2024/2025 Lanarkshire Carers progressed 3,201 ACSPs across North and South Lanarkshire. This is huge achievement for our organisation, and we welcome the enhancement of our CarerSpace portal which will further enable good conversations. A Lanarkshire wide collaborative approach is very helpful in relation to this important area of Carers Rights.”

Social Work also come into direct contact with carers through the services they provide whose pathway has not included Lanarkshire Carers. When the carer’s needs are critical and substantial, the appropriate social work team will be responsible for progressing the Adult Carer Support Plan. An outcome from an ACSP led by Social Work can include a referral to Lanarkshire Carers to access the services they provide.  Engaging with Lanarkshire Carers remains the choice of the carer and they are not required to be known to the organisation to access support from the Local Authority

Maria Barry, Senior Manager, Quality Assurance, University Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire said: “University Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire are pleased to support and endorse this Partnership Statement, which outlines the commitment to ensuring that carers are well supported. The ACSP Partnership Statement 2026 provides staff with information on our statutory duty and raises awareness of the importance of Adult Carer Support Plans for carers, to ensure they have access to accurate information and can be signposted and referred appropriately, to get the support that is right for their individual circumstances.”

Ian Beattie, Head of Health and Social Care, South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: "South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership welcome this opportunity to work collaboratively with Lanarkshire Carers Centre and our colleagues in North Lanarkshire.  This statement supports the vital work to support carers in Lanarkshire and will provide direction to our staff and clarify what carers can expect of us.  Most importantly, the statement signals the intent of the signatories to continue working together to improve the support that is available to carers.”

In addition to the full document, a summary version has also been prepared. Click on the relevant link below: 

ACSP Partnership Statement - Full Version

ACSP Partnership Statement - Mini Statement