Our Values
Wellbeing • Compassion • Be included • Dignity and respect • Responsive care and support
We are always looking to understand what is working and what we can do better. We are also inviting service users and families to participate in staff recruitment and training.
How do I contact you?
Our office is open to visit Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. You can also email us [email protected] or call 0131 285 1606, including out of hours emergencies.
Frequently asked questions
What are visit times?
Visit times are an indication of when we will visit. You should expect staff to visit 30 minutes prior to or after the time. This is to allow for changes in the needs of other service users and travel conditions between visits.
We will do our best to keep you informed if we are running late, however where we are supporting others due to an emergency then we may not be able to contact you immediately.
As your needs change then your own visit may take longer than planned, this will have an effect on other people being supported.
e.g. A visit time of 09:30, means staff may visit between 9:00 and 10:00.
What may put my visit at risk?
Our staff have the right to work in a healthy environment. This means that they should be able to support you in an environment which is free of:
- Smoke & Risks to health
- Racism & Abuse
- Violence & Aggression
- Bad language & Sexism
If you require 2 or more staff to support you, and refuse the support of one of them, then we cannot continue to provide our service to you. This is because it could be unsafe for both you and the staff member.
Can I choose the staff I get?
Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership have contracted providers to support you with some limitations:
- Similar to support in a hospital, you cannot choose the gender of staff who support you unless there is a valid reason for this. We will however do our best to accommodate this request if we are informed prior to commencing service.
- You cannot choose the specific staff who support you, however we will do our best to accommodate valid requests where possible, but this cannot be guaranteed
I am unhappy with my support, what do I do?
In the first instance please email [email protected] or call 0131 285 1606 and ask to raise your concern with the Care Manager. Your support needs will change over time and we will always do our best to support you. If you feel we could do better then we need to know.
I don’t need support today, what do I do?
If you don’t need support e.g. you are going out, have an appointment or visitors, please let us know immediately so that we can update the rota. This will allow us to spend more time with others as well as ensuring we do not trigger an alert if you are not home.
If you are not at home when we visit or we can’t gain entry then we will:
- Phone you next of kin
- Check the hospitals to see if you were admitted
- Phone the police for a welfare check
- Contact Social Work to report our concerns
Why are staff on their phones?
Staff use their phones as part of their job, not to access social media. Everything has become digital so there are very few written records anymore. Phones are used to:
- Access rotas
- Contact the office
- Log in and out of visits
- Record medication that has been given
- Record notes and confirm they have completed everything
We would encourage you to sit with staff and participate in completing these tasks together, this way we know your thoughts at each visit.
Can I get involved in recruitment?
Absolutely, if you want to get involved in the recruitment process, nominate staff for promotion or be part of staff observations and appraisals then we would love to hear from you. Please contact us now and we will do our best to support you to get involved.
Can I give the staff a gift?
Staff appreciate your kindness, however staff are not allowed to accept gifts. If you wish to offer a gift then please contact the office for advice. This protects staff from being put in an uncomfortable position.
Can I attend training workshops?
Absolutely, we would welcome your attendance at any of our workshops. Please contact the office if you are interested.
Upcoming training workshops
For more information please contact the office at 0131 285 1606 or [email protected]
- Dementia, Stress and Distress 22nd November
Improvement plan
We listen and learn
We recruit and develop
We improve people’s lives
We seek ways to improve
Useful apps
openPass
The openPass app enhances care connectivity by providing real-time access to care notes, care plans and records for healthcare workers, family, and friends.
Purple Alert Scotland
Purple Alert is a free, community-driven app designed to help locate people with dementia if they go missing, created by dementia patients, carers, and various support organisations.
BNF Publications
The British National Formulary (BNF) app makes it easy to access up-to-date BNF guidance on prescribing, dispensing and administering medicines, even when you are offline.
E-learning
The British Geriatrics Society (BGS) are providing free Frailty e-learning courses that are suitable for people who work in health and social care and across different settings. You do not need to be a member of the BGS to access this resource. The courses currently on offer are:
- Module 1: Understanding and Communicating Frailty
- Module 2: Identifying Frailty
- Module 3: Managing those living with Frailty
- Module 4: Building Systems Fit for Frailty
If you are interested, please use this link to the BGS website to find out more information and how to register and access the courses.
Medication Best Practise
Dementia Awareness
- Dementia-Friendly Activities in November and December
- Strengthening Dementia Care at Social Care Alba through Continued Education
- Webinar: Lewy Body Dementia (31 July)
- Navigating the Challenges of Dementia Care: Tips and Strategies
- Understanding Dementia: Free open online course (opens 8th July, enrol now)
- Useful websites and digital resources
- Everyday Aids for People with Dementia
- New digital clocks at Social Care Alba
- Dementia training
- Good practice in the design of homes and living spaces for people with dementia and sight loss
- Dementia: Types of dementia & How technology can help to support dementia sufferers
- Diary of a Care Worker: Dementia and Confabulation
- How to make a playlist for life | (Download the PDF)
Advocacy and Technology
- Enhancing Independence with Smart Home Adaptations in Edinburgh
- The Role of Technology in Enhancing Social Care Services
- Smart Technology to support safe and independent living
7 years ago we invested in Buddy, a social robot. We hope that deliveries to the UK will start this year and look forward to seeing how we can introduce Buddy to SCA.
Learn more about Blue Frog Robotics
Further newsletters and updates
- Flu Vaccine 2024: Protect Yourself and Others
- Halloween in Scotland: A Celebration of Ancient Traditions
- Cyber Essentials Certification: A Commitment to Data Safety
- Personal Care, Washing, and Dressing
- Continence Promotion
- Understanding Palliative Care: What It Is and Why It Matters
- Up-to-date NHS Inform Covid-19 guidance
- Social Care Alba is inviting service users and families to participate in staff recruitment and training
- World Delirium Awareness Day 2024