22 February 2016
Unpaid carers offered opportunity to gain care qualification
Aberdeenshire Council has been successful in receiving further funding to continue offering unpaid carers the chance to gain a qualification in caring.
Aberdeenshire Council are therefore inviting applications from people who care for a relative, friend, or neighbour.
The project has been extremely successful and well received with 13 carers gaining the qualification and a further 12 currently undertaking the qualification.
The SVQ takes between 6 to 12 months to complete. This course is specifically designed for people who support and assist individuals with their physical or emotional care, daily living needs or maintaining their independence.
It has helped to make carers more confident in their ability to undertake their caring role and can be a useful if any of them wanted a career within the caring sector.
Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Social Work and Housing Committee Councillor Anne Allan said: “Recognising and supporting the thousands of unpaid carers who care for and look after their friends and relatives remains a high priority for Aberdeenshire Council and the Health and Social Care Partnership. Offering a qualification in care is just one of the many ways we are helping them.”
There are no formal classes to attend, the course is flexible and will only take one or two hours a week. Those on the course will have the support of a SVQ Assessor to help and guide you through the qualification. There is also the chance to meet and share experiences with other carers and benefit from that support.
Vice Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Social Work and Housing Cllr Raymond Christie: “As well as providing training to our own care staff it is important that unpaid carers also have the opportunity to get the best possible support and advice. Achieving an SVQ may help increase their confidence reduce stress and give them a sense of achievement.”
Anyone who is interested and would like more information or to apply to be on the course should contact Sandra Baxter, Vocational Assessor (SVQ) on 01466 794 272 or email Sandra.baxter@aberdeenshire.gov.uk .