A little about us
Led by Carolyn, built on trust
Sirona Care’s care promise is led by Carolyn, our service manager, who has spent over 20 years — and all her adult life — dedicated to supporting others.
Her experience, compassion and knowledge of the sector have helped shape a care service built on kindness, dignity and trust — and are the fundamental reason the Care Inspectorate and the Scottish Social Services Council have awarded us registration to provide this service.
Sirona Care exists to provide the kind of care we would want for our own loved ones — warm, reliable and deeply personal.
Care Inspectorate
Registered service
Scottish Social Services Council
Registered & regulated
20+ Years in care
A lifetime of dedication
How we care
Care that begins with a promise
My simple promise: my team and I will care for every person with the same kindness, patience and respect we would want for our own loved ones.
Carolyn Smillie
Care Service Manager
Fund your care
Funding Care and Respite Support Sirona Care - Website Q&A
Can care at home be funded by the council?
In some cases, yes. A person who needs care can ask their local council or Health and Social Care Partnership for an assessment of their needs. If they are eligible for support, the council may help arrange and fund some or all of their care.
In Scotland, this is often arranged through Self-directed Support, which is designed to give people more choice and control over how their care is delivered. This can include choosing the type of support needed, who provides it, and whether the person manages the budget themselves or asks the council to arrange support.
What is Self-directed Support?
Self-directed Support, often called SDS, is the way social care support is arranged in Scotland. It gives people more choice over how their support is provided. There are different options. Some people receive a direct payment and arrange their own care. Others ask the council to arrange care on their behalf. Some use an Individual Service Fund, and some use a mixture of options. The right option depends on the person’s circumstances, preferences and assessed needs.
Can Sirona Care provide support through council-funded care?
Where a person has an agreed care package, Self-directed Support budget or Individual Service Fund, they may be able to choose an approved care provider to deliver their support. We are happy to discuss the type of care needed and work alongside families, social workers and local authority processes where appropriate. Families can also choose to arrange care privately if they prefer not to wait for an assessment, if they need additional support, or if they want extra visits beyond what has been agreed by the council.
Do carers have a right to respite care?
Unpaid carers in Scotland can ask for a carer’s assessment, often called an Adult Carer Support Plan. This helps identify the support a carer may need to continue caring safely and without damaging their own wellbeing. If the council agrees that support is needed, this may include respite care or short breaks. Respite support is not just about taking time away. It is about helping carers rest, recover, attend to their own needs and continue caring in a sustainable way.
Are councils legally required to provide four weeks of paid respite every year?
Unpaid carers may be entitled to support following assessment, and respite or short breaks can form part of that support where the carer’s needs meet local eligibility criteria. Families should contact their local council or carer support service to ask for an Adult Carer Support Plan and advice on what respite support may be available. This avoids over-promising while still encouraging families to ask for the support they may be entitled to.
Can a carer still receive carer benefits while taking a break?
In some circumstances, carer benefits may continue during a temporary break from caring. In Scotland, Carer Support Payment is the main carer benefit for eligible carers. Benefit rules can be detailed, especially if the carer or the person they care for goes into hospital, a care home or respite care. Families should always check with Social Security Scotland, the DWP or a welfare rights adviser before relying on benefit payments during a break.
What benefits might help towards care or support?
Depending on circumstances, the person receiving care may be entitled to disability-related benefits, while the unpaid carer may be entitled to carer support. These benefits do not always pay for care directly, but they can help families manage the wider costs of care and support. A full benefits check is often worthwhile, especially where someone’s health, mobility, memory, daily living needs or caring responsibilities have changed.
What if we need care before council funding is agreed?
Many families arrange private care while waiting for an assessment, while a care package is being reviewed, or where they simply want extra support. Private care can be used for regular visits, companionship, personal care, medication prompts, outings or respite support. We can discuss what would help most and shape support around the person’s needs, routines and family circumstances.
Why is respite care important?
Caring for someone you love can be deeply meaningful, but it can also be physically and emotionally demanding. Many unpaid carers carry responsibility every day, often without enough rest. Respite care gives families time to pause, recover or attend to other parts of life, while knowing their loved one is safe, respected and properly looked after. At Sirona Care, we see that trust as both a privilege and an honour.
How can Sirona Care help families understand their options?
We cannot make funding decisions for the council, but we can help families think clearly about the type of care that may be needed. We can discuss care at home, personal care, medication support, companionship, outings and respite care, and help families prepare for conversations with social work, carers centres or local authority teams. Our role is to provide calm, dependable care that gives families confidence whether support is privately arranged, council-funded, or part of a wider care plan.
Get in touch
Let's find the right care, together
Tell us a little about your situation — about care, working with us, or funding. We’ll call you back for a friendly, no-obligation chat.
07856 247247
Stirlingshire, Falkirk & Clackmannanshire
