The local authority has a duty to prepare a support plan for carers with eligible needs. The plan must detail the eligible area the carer requires support in and the outcome they would like to achieve. It should also then demonstrate how they will be supported to achieve that outcome, linking back to the wellbeing principles (whether funds are required to support the carer to meet these outcomes, or not).

The plan should:

• be co-produced
• reflect the carer’s wishes, needs and aspirations
• identify what is important to them and for them, where this is reasonable
• be provided to the carer, as it is their plan

Things to consider when completing the support plan:

• the on-going sustainability of their caring role and what type of support will help them to sustain it.
• that the support plan clearly demonstrates what support is being given, including information and advice the carer will receive, to meet their eligible needs
• what outcomes the carer has identified and do they meet the eligible outcomes identified in the carer conversation
• have ways of meeting the outcomes been explored that do not require a personal budget
• if a personal budget has been identified, it should be clearly broken down in the support plan with projected costs to meet the eligible needs