Routes to getting support

Dynamic Carer Assessment or Connecting Carers.

Information on this page is relevant to the Highland Health and Social Care Partnership area. For the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership area, read about Support for carers at the Argyll and Bute Council website.

There are two routes to support. You can choose either route or use both.

Route 1: Dynamic Carer Assessment (DCA) delivered by Mobilise

Mobilise Together We Care And Thrive A flexible way to get personalised information and advice at a time that suits you.

It's free, takes around 20 minutes, and there's no waiting list.
You have a guided telephone conversation with Claire, an AI assistant.
Claire asks about your caring role, wellbeing, and what matters to you.
You receive a summary by text to check and approve.
You then receive your personalised support plan, with information and advice based on what you shared.
If you would like an Adult Carer Support Plan (ACSP), or think you would benefit from more guided support, you will be referred to Connecting Carers.

begin your support with Mobilise

Route 2: Connecting Carers - Highland's Carers Centre

A good place to start if you prefer to speak with a member of the team or want more guided support.

You can contact Connecting Carers directly, or a referral can be made to the team. A member of the team will follow up with you.
The team will talk with you about your caring role and support needs.
You have the right to request an ACSP. Connecting Carers can discuss this with you and support you to complete one if you wish.
If an ACSP is being progressed, a separate appointment may be arranged to explore your needs, personal outcomes and support in more detail.
Timescales can vary depending on demand and the type of support required.
Connecting Carers will explain the current timescale when they contact you.

contact Connecting Carers

Which route should I choose?

The DCA may suit you if you want quick, flexible access to personalised information and advice at a time that suits you.

Connecting Carers may suit you if you prefer to speak with a member of the team, need more guided support or want to discuss an ACSP.

There is no right or wrong choice, and you can use both. For example, you can complete the DCA for personalised information and advice, then speak with Connecting Carers if you need more support. Completing a DCA does not replace or remove your right to request an ACSP. Both the DCA support plan and an ACSP belong to you. You can use them to reflect on your needs and goals, and you may choose to share them with professionals involved in supporting you.

What is the benefit of completing a DCA?

The DCA is available at a time that suits you and can be a helpful first step if you are not sure where to begin.

It helps you think about your caring role, wellbeing, goals, and support needs.

It gives you personalised information and advice based on what you share.

What will I receive after the DCA?

You receive a summary of the conversation by text.

After you check and approve it, you receive a link to your personalised support plan.

The plan will be tailored to you, and may include information about wellbeing, breaks from caring, money, advocacy, training, peer support and relevant local or national services, depending on what you discussed.

You will receive text messages with tailored tips and local information, for as long as you need it.

Is the DCA support plan an Adult Carer Support Plan (ACSP)?

The DCA support plan gives you personalised information and advice based on your conversation, which feeds into the ACSP process.

An ACSP is a separate support planning process. It identifies your personal outcomes and what support may be needed, and it can help inform decisions about eligibility for wider support. Connecting Carers can discuss and complete an ACSP with you.

Can I still request an ACSP if I complete a DCA?

Yes. Completing a DCA does not replace or remove your right to request an ACSP at any time.

If you would like an ACSP, or need more guided support, contact Connecting Carers.

With your consent, information from the DCA may be shared with Connecting Carers to support the next conversation and reduce the need to repeat information where possible. Connecting Carers may still need to ask further questions and collect any additional information required for the ACSP.

Will I need to repeat my information?

When you arrange your DCA, you will be asked to consent to relevant information being shared with Connecting Carers and NHS Highland. If you are referred for further support, this information can help Connecting Carers understand your circumstances and reduce the need for you to repeat information.

Connecting Carers may still need to ask some additional questions to complete support planning or an ACSP.

Will completing a DCA mean I do not need to speak with Connecting Carers?

Not always. Some carers may get what they need from the information and advice provided through the DCA.

Other carers may want or need more guided support. In that case, a referral will be made to Connecting Carers.

The purpose of offering both routes is to give carers more choice about how they start getting support.

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