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Homecare Support Worker – Stirling Area Creative Homecare is recruiting a Homecare Support Worker. • 30 hours per week✔ £13.45 per hour✔ Paid travel time at 55p per mile✔ Mileage allowance✔ Monday – Friday only (8am – 8pm)✔ No weekend work Applicants must have a valid UK driving licence, access to their own vehicle and the legal right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available. Closing date: Friday 31 July 2026 To apply, send your CV to:administrator@creativehomecare.co.uk Full details: https://creativehomecare.co.uk/join-creative-homecare/Telephone: 01324 827394

Your Choices Explained Self-Directed Support can give people in Falkirk more choice and control over the care and support they receive. Rather than automatically having every part of your support arranged for you, Self-Directed Support allows you to be involved in deciding what help you need, how it should be delivered and, depending on the option chosen, who provides it. Falkirk Council describes Self-Directed Support as a way for anyone assessed as needing social or community care support to choose how their support is arranged. A social care worker will complete an assessment, discuss your goals and identify the support you may require. If you meet the eligibility criteria for funded support, an individual budget and support plan will then be agreed. What Happens During a Care Assessment? The first step is to contact Falkirk Council’s Social Work team and request an assessment. During the assessment, a social care worker will talk to you about your circumstances, the difficulties you are experiencing and what you would like your support to help you achieve. This may include help with: Falkirk Council states that the assessment should focus on your personal goals and identify how your eligible needs can be met. If you qualify for funded care, the council will create a support plan and confirm your individual budget. The amount awarded is not automatically the same for everyone. It will depend on your assessed needs and personal circumstances. The Four Self-Directed Support Options Falkirk Council offers four ways to arrange your support. Option 1: You Choose and Arrange Your Support Under Option 1, Falkirk Council provides a Direct Payment that you can use to arrange your own care and support. This option may allow you to: Option 1 offers a high level of control, but it also brings responsibilities. If you directly employ a personal assistant, you may become responsible for matters such as contracts, tax, pensions, annual leave and employment requirements. Purchasing support from an established provider can reduce some of that administrative responsibility because the organisation employs and manages its own staff. Option 2: You Choose and Someone Else Arranges It With Option 2, you decide what support you want, but Falkirk Council or another organisation arranges and pays for it on your behalf. An Individual Service Fund may also be used, where a provider holds and manages the agreed budget while you remain involved in decisions about your support. Option 3: Falkirk Council Arranges Your Support Under Option 3, Falkirk Council chooses, arranges and pays for the support identified in your assessment. This option may suit people who do not want responsibility for managing a care budget or organising services themselves. Option 4: A Combination of Options Option 4 allows you to combine Options 1, 2 and 3. For example, Falkirk Council might arrange personal care at home under Option 3, while a Direct Payment under Option 1 is used for support to attend activities or get out into the community. This gives you the ability to control the parts of your support that you feel comfortable managing while allowing someone else to arrange the remainder. What Can an SDS Budget Be Used For? Your budget must be used to meet the needs and goals agreed during your assessment. Falkirk Council gives examples that include: Spending restrictions or limits may apply, and any purchase must relate to the outcomes identified in your care plan. What Is the Falkirk SDS Funding Rate? The current hourly rate provided to Creative Homecare for Falkirk Self-Directed Support is: £28.12 per hour This is the hourly amount that may be allocated towards eligible support, subject to your individual assessment and agreed budget. The public Falkirk Council SDS page does not currently publish a universal hourly rate. It states that each person’s funding depends on their circumstances, including their age, income, health and the services they require. Your support and budget may also be reviewed if your circumstances change. The £26.60 figure should therefore be presented as the current rate advised to Creative Homecare rather than a guaranteed award for every applicant. If your chosen provider charges more than the amount available within your budget, ask your social care worker whether a personal contribution or another arrangement is permitted before agreeing to any service. Will You Have to Pay Towards Your Care? Falkirk Council explains that some people may be asked to contribute towards the cost of their support. The amount depends on personal circumstances, including income, age, health and the type of service received. Eligible personal care is provided free to adults following a Social Work assessment under Scotland’s free personal care rules. Examples of personal care can include: However, some non-personal care, day services, community alarm services and Direct Payment arrangements may still be subject to charges or a financial assessment. It is important to ask your allocated worker for a clear written explanation of: Can You Choose Creative Homecare? Depending on the option you choose and the outcomes agreed in your support plan, you may be able to use your SDS budget to purchase services from Creative Homecare. We provide professional homecare across Falkirk from Monday to Friday. Our support can include: Creative Homecare is rated Grade 6 Excellent by the Care Inspectorate. We also place great importance on continuity. Wherever possible, the people we support see familiar support workers rather than a constantly changing team. This helps build trust and gives individuals and their families greater reassurance. Care That Supports Strathcarron Hospice Creative Homecare is a social enterprise established by Strathcarron Hospice. Every penny of profit from our service goes towards supporting the hospice and its work caring for local people living with life-limiting illnesses. By choosing Creative Homecare, you can receive professional, personalised support while also contributing to an organisation that benefits the wider community. Can You Change Your SDS Option Later? Yes. Falkirk Council states that you can request to change your SDS option if your circumstances change or your current arrangement is no longer meeting your

How Could It Help You? Many people have heard the term Self-Directed Support but are not sure what it means, how it works or whether it could apply to them. Self-Directed Support, usually shortened to SDS, is the way social care is arranged in Scotland. Its purpose is to give people greater choice, flexibility and control over the support they receive. Rather than having every decision made on your behalf, SDS allows you to be more involved in deciding what support you need, how it is provided and, depending on the option chosen, who provides it. For someone who wants to remain independent at home, this can make a significant difference. How Does Self-Directed Support Work? The process normally begins with an assessment by your local Social Work team. The assessment looks at your circumstances, the challenges you are experiencing and the outcomes you would like your support to help you achieve. These outcomes might include: Where eligible care needs are identified, the local authority will decide how much funding is available to meet the agreed outcomes in your support plan. This does not necessarily mean that everyone receives the same number of hours or the same financial amount. The support offered should be based on the individual assessment. What Are the Four SDS Options? There are four Self-Directed Support options available in Scotland. Option 1: Direct Payment Under Option 1, the local authority makes a Direct Payment to you so that you can arrange your own support. You can use the payment to purchase services from a registered care provider or, in some circumstances, employ your own personal assistant. This option generally offers the greatest level of choice and control, but it also involves more responsibility for arranging and managing the support. Option 2: You Choose and Someone Else Arranges It You choose the support you want, but the local authority or another organisation manages the budget and arranges the service on your behalf. This can give you choice without requiring you to manage the money directly. Option 3: The Council Arranges Your Support The local authority selects and arranges the support for you. This involves less personal responsibility, but it may also offer less direct control over the provider and how the support is delivered. Option 4: A Combination You can use a mixture of Options 1, 2 and 3 for different parts of your support. For example, you might use a Direct Payment for one type of support while allowing the council to arrange another. How Much Funding Is Available? The amount awarded will depend on your individual assessment and agreed support plan. Current hourly funding rates provided to Creative Homecare are: These figures can help you compare the funding available with the hourly cost of your preferred provider. Where the provider’s rate is higher than the amount funded by the council, you may need to pay a contribution or top up the difference. The exact arrangement will depend on your assessment, the SDS option chosen and the rules applied by your local authority. Because council rates and individual arrangements can change, it is important to confirm the current position with your Social Work team before making financial decisions. Can You Choose Creative Homecare? Depending on your SDS arrangement and the outcomes agreed in your care plan, you may be able to use your personal budget to purchase support from a provider such as Creative Homecare. Creative Homecare provides professional, personalised homecare across Falkirk and Stirling from Monday to Friday. Our support can include: We take time to understand the individual, their routines and what they want their support to achieve. Why Choice and Continuity Matter Good homecare is not simply about completing a list of tasks. It is about feeling comfortable with the person entering your home, being treated with dignity and knowing that your wishes are being respected. Having a choice of provider can help you find a service that reflects your priorities. You may place particular value on continuity, longer visits, companionship, flexibility or support to remain involved in your local community. Creative Homecare is rated Grade 6 – Excellent by the Care Inspectorate. Our approach focuses on providing dependable, person-centred support and helping people retain as much choice and independence as possible. Support with a Wider Purpose Creative Homecare is also a social enterprise established by Strathcarron Hospice. Every penny of profit generated by our homecare service goes towards supporting the vital work of the hospice. This means that choosing Creative Homecare can create two positive outcomes: receiving high-quality support at home while also contributing to hospice care for other people and families across the community. How Do You Apply for Self-Directed Support? The first step is usually to contact your local council’s Social Work or social care team and ask for an assessment. The assessment will consider whether you are eligible for funded support and what outcomes the support should help you achieve. You can ask questions about: It can be helpful to think in advance about what you are finding difficult and what you would like to be able to do with the right support. Want to Know More? Understanding Self-Directed Support can feel complicated at first, but you do not need to work through it alone. Creative Homecare can explain the service we provide, discuss how our support may fit your needs and help you understand the questions to ask your Social Work team. 📞 01324 827394📧 administrator@creativehomecare.co.uk🌐 www.creativehomecare.co.uk Care with heart. Support with purpose.

Here’s What Matters Most Over the past month, we have shared more about Creative Homecare, the support we provide and the values behind our service. For anyone who has recently discovered us, we wanted to bring the most important information together in one place. Creative Homecare provides professional, personalised homecare across Falkirk and Stirling. We help people remain independent, connected and comfortable in their own homes while receiving support that reflects their individual needs. However, there is something else that makes Creative Homecare particularly special. Professional Homecare Across Falkirk and Stirling We provide homecare services from Monday to Friday across the Falkirk and Stirling areas. Our support is shaped around each person rather than delivered as a one-size-fits-all service. Before support begins, we take time to understand the individual, their circumstances and the things that matter most to them. Depending on their needs, our support workers may help with: Sometimes the most valuable part of a visit is practical assistance. At other times, it may simply be having a familiar person to talk to, share a cup of tea with or accompany someone into their community. Rated Grade 6 – Excellent Creative Homecare is proud to be rated Grade 6 – Excellent by the Care Inspectorate. This rating reflects the quality of care and support our team provides. For the people using our service and their families, it offers independent reassurance that Creative Homecare is committed to maintaining high standards. Quality homecare is not only about completing practical tasks. It is also about treating people with dignity, listening to their wishes and helping them retain choice and control over their lives. Our support workers understand that they are entering someone’s home and becoming part of that person’s routine. Building trust, providing continuity and developing genuine relationships are therefore central to our approach. Homecare with a Greater Purpose Creative Homecare is a social enterprise established by Strathcarron Hospice. This means our service has a purpose that reaches beyond the homecare we provide. Every penny of profit generated by Creative Homecare goes directly towards supporting the work of the hospice. Strathcarron Hospice provides specialist care and support to people living with life-limiting conditions across Forth Valley, as well as supporting their families and loved ones. The hospice currently costs £19,452 every day to operate. Fundraising and community support are therefore essential to helping its services continue. Creative Homecare creates another sustainable way of contributing to that work. Families receive high-quality professional homecare, while the income generated by the service helps support the hospice. One Choice with Two Positive Outcomes When someone chooses Creative Homecare, they are making a choice that can have two important outcomes. First, they receive compassionate, dependable and personalised support designed to help them live well at home. Second, they help contribute to the work of Strathcarron Hospice and the care it provides throughout our community. For many families, knowing that their choice of homecare also has a wider social purpose makes the service even more meaningful. It means that an hour of support can help one person remain independent while also contributing to care for someone else who may need the hospice. Helping People Remain Connected Homecare is not only about what happens inside someone’s house. Maintaining connections with friends, family and the local community can make a significant difference to a person’s confidence and wellbeing. Our support workers can help people attend appointments, visit local groups, enjoy a day out or continue taking part in activities that matter to them. When mobility, health or confidence changes, these everyday activities can become more difficult. Having dependable support can help someone continue doing the things that bring purpose and enjoyment to their life. This is why we see social support and companionship as important parts of helping people remain independent. Thank You for Supporting Creative Homecare Over the past month, we have been grateful to everyone who has read, shared or commented on our posts. Every share helps more people across Falkirk and Stirling discover that personalised homecare is available. It may reach a person who needs support, a family beginning to consider care options or someone who is feeling isolated and would benefit from companionship. It also helps us raise awareness of the unique relationship between Creative Homecare and Strathcarron Hospice. Your support genuinely matters. Could Creative Homecare Help Someone You Know? Perhaps someone close to you is beginning to find everyday tasks more difficult. They may need help attending appointments, getting out into their community or simply having regular companionship from a trusted support worker. Our team would be pleased to discuss the support available and answer any initial questions. There is no obligation. Sometimes a friendly conversation is the best place to begin. 📞 01324 827394📧 administrator@creativehomecare.co.uk🌐 www.creativehomecare.co.uk Care with heart. Support with purpose.

Reviews, Funding and Support Choosing homecare for yourself or someone you love can feel like a significant decision. Families naturally want to know that the person providing support will be kind, dependable and respectful. They also want to understand what help may be available towards the cost of care and whether they will have a choice over who provides that support. At Creative Homecare, we believe families should feel informed, listened to and confident throughout the process. What Families Say About Creative Homecare The experiences of the people we support and their families are incredibly important to us. One family described how we completed a full assessment before support began, involving both the individual and their family. A personalised care plan was then created, helping ensure that the support reflected the person’s needs, preferences and routines. They also highlighted the respect shown to their mum and described our support workers as kind, patient and helpful. Another family praised the communication they received. They valued the fact that support workers arrived on time, that there was continuity of staff and that any changes were communicated in advance. Continuity is especially important in homecare. Seeing familiar support workers can help people feel more relaxed and secure, particularly if they were initially uncertain about receiving support at home. One family explained that their mum was worried at first, but soon began to enjoy the visits and the friendly conversation. These reviews reflect what good homecare should provide: practical help, reassurance, companionship and a genuine relationship built on trust. Rated Grade 6 – Excellent Creative Homecare is proud to have received a Grade 6 – Excellent rating from the Care Inspectorate. This rating recognises the quality of the service we provide and our commitment to delivering compassionate, person-centred support. However, quality homecare is about more than a rating. It is about how someone feels when a support worker arrives at their door. It means being treated with dignity, having choices respected and receiving support from people who take the time to listen. What Is Self-Directed Support? Self-Directed Support gives people more choice and control over the care and support they receive. Rather than every decision being made by the local authority, eligible individuals may be given a personal budget following an assessment by their Social Work team. That budget can then be used to arrange support in a way that suits the person’s needs. This may include choosing a care provider, deciding when support is delivered and agreeing which activities or daily tasks are most important. Current council funding rates are: The amount of support awarded will depend on the individual assessment. People can then compare their available budget with the cost of their preferred service and calculate whether an additional personal contribution may be required. For many families, Self-Directed Support can provide greater flexibility and the opportunity to choose a provider that reflects their expectations and priorities. Can Attendance Allowance Help? Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people over State Pension age who require additional support because of a disability or health condition. It is not means-tested, and the person receiving it can decide how the money is used. Some people choose to put their Attendance Allowance towards social and practical support from Creative Homecare. This could include help to: Social support is not simply an optional extra. Remaining active and connected can support emotional wellbeing, confidence and independence. It can also help reduce loneliness and give family carers valuable reassurance. Support That Reflects the Individual Every person is different, so homecare should never feel like a one-size-fits-all service. Some people may need practical help around the home. Others may benefit most from companionship, transport or support to remain involved in their community. Before support begins, we take time to understand the person, their circumstances and what matters most to them. This helps us create a personalised care plan and match the right support workers wherever possible. Our aim is to provide dependable support while helping each person maintain as much choice, independence and control as possible. Every Visit Supports Strathcarron Hospice Creative Homecare is a social enterprise connected to Strathcarron Hospice. That means every family choosing Creative Homecare is also helping to support the wider work of the hospice. Strathcarron Hospice provides essential care to people living with life-limiting illnesses and supports their families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. By choosing Creative Homecare, families receive professional, Excellent-rated homecare while also contributing to a service with a meaningful social purpose. Talk to Creative Homecare Understanding care options and funding can sometimes feel complicated, but you do not have to work through everything alone. Our team can explain more about the services we provide and discuss how Creative Homecare may be able to support you or someone close to you. 📞 01324 827394📧 administrator@creativehomecare.co.uk🌐 www.creativehomecare.co.uk Care with heart. Support with purpose.

Homecare Support Worker – Stirling Area Creative Homecare is recruiting a Homecare Support Worker. • 30 hours per week✔ £13.45 per hour✔ Paid travel time at 55p per mile✔ Mileage allowance✔ Monday – Friday only (8am – 8pm)✔ No weekend work Applicants must have a valid UK driving licence, access to their own vehicle and the legal right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available. Closing date: Friday 31 July 2026 To apply, send your CV to:administrator@creativehomecare.co.uk Full details: creativehomecare.co.ukTelephone: 01324 827394

Every single day, our support workers go into people’s homes across Falkirk and Stirling and make a real difference. They help someone get dressed with their dignity intact. They make sure someone has a hot meal. They sit with someone who would otherwise be alone. And when they leave, their impact doesn’t end there. As a social enterprise and subsidiary of Strathcarron Hospice, every penny of our profit helps support the hospice and the vital palliative care it provides to local people and their families. That’s what we’re here for. That’s Creative Homecare. If you or someone you love could benefit from our support, we’d be delighted to have a chat. 01324 827394 administrator@creativehomecare.co.uk creativehomecare.co.uk Please like, share or tag someone who may benefit from learning more about Creative Homecare. #CreativeHomecare#StrathcarronHospice#Falkirk#Stirling#CommunityFirst#HomeCare#CareWithHeart#SupportWithPurpose Let’s start the week with a reminder of why we do what we do. Every single day, our support workers go into people’s homes across Falkirk and Stirling and make a real difference. They help someone get dressed with their dignity intact. They make sure someone has a hot meal. They sit with someone who would otherwise be alone. And when they leave, their impact doesn’t end there. As a social enterprise and subsidiary of Strathcarron Hospice, every penny of our profit helps support the hospice and the vital palliative care it provides to local people and their families. That’s what we’re here for. That’s Creative Homecare. If you or someone you love could benefit from our support, we’d be delighted to have a chat. 01324 827394 administrator@creativehomecare.co.uk creativehomecare.co.uk Please like, share or tag someone who may benefit from learning more about Creative Homecare. #CreativeHomecare#StrathcarronHospice#Falkirk#Stirling#CommunityFirst#HomeCare#CareWithHeart#SupportWithPurpose

We’d like to share a little more about what makes Creative Homecare different. If you work in health or social care across Falkirk or Stirling, here are three reasons to get to know us. Grade 6 Excellent We’re proud to have achieved the highest possible rating from the Care Inspectorate. It’s independently assessed, publicly available, and reflects the quality of care we provide every day. Continuity of care We don’t provide short, task-based visits or constantly rotate different support workers. The people we support get to know familiar faces, building trust, confidence, and meaningful relationships over time. Supporting Strathcarron Hospice Creative Homecare is a social enterprise and subsidiary of Strathcarron Hospice. Every referral helps support the hospice and the vital palliative care it provides to local people and their families. If you’re part of a hospital discharge team, GP practice, community health partnership, or another health or social care service, we’d be delighted to introduce ourselves and discuss how we can support people to live independently at home. 01324 827394 administrator@creativehomecare.co.uk www.creativehomecare.co.uk If you know someone working in health or social care across Falkirk or Stirling, please like, share or tag them so they can learn more about Creative Homecare and how, together, we can support more people to live independently at home while helping to fund Strathcarron Hospice. #CreativeHomecare#HomecareProfessionals#SocialCare#Falkirk#Stirling#HospitalDischarge

A small favour from us today. Every week, we speak to people who tell us they didn’t realise support like ours was available. Sometimes it’s an older person who wants to stay independent at home. Sometimes it’s a husband, wife, son or daughter doing their best to care for a loved one and finding it harder than they expected. Sometimes it’s someone coming out of hospital who could use a little extra support while they get back on their feet. If you know someone who might benefit from a bit of help, please share this post or pass on our details. Many people are also unaware that financial support may be available. Attendance Allowance and Self-Directed Support funding can often help towards the cost of care and support. Current Self-Directed Support rates: • Falkirk Council – £28.12 per hour • Stirling Council – £26.79 per hour Whether it’s help around the home, companionship, support getting out and about, or giving a family carer a well-earned break, we’re always happy to have a chat and explain the options available. Thank you for helping us spread the word. 01324 827394 administrator@creativehomecare.co.uk creativehomecare.co.uk #CreativeHomecare#Falkirk#Stirling#SupportAtHome#AttendanceAllowance#SelfDirectedSupport#CommunitySupport#FamilyCarers#StrathcarronHospice