About Us

In 2024, Partners in Play decided to rebrand to Empower Care Scotland

Founded in 1996, Partners in Play has offered essential community support and respite for children with disabilities throughout North Lanarkshire.

In 2024, Partners in Play decided to rebrand into ‘Empower Care Scotland’, allowing for an expansion into young adult services, bridging the gap between children and adult care provision, and offering consistency and trust for families. Our previous years’ experience in project delivery has meant more choices and independence for people accessing our services. Our previous projects include adapted sailing, residential breaks, outdoor adventure breaks, creative fun days, holiday programmes, and 1:1 community support. We have a team of highly trained, knowledgeable, and caring support workers assisting us in delivering our outcomes.

Today, our 1:1 support is more than just practical help – it’s a partnership built on trust, respect, and understanding. Every support plan is designed with the person at the centre, considering their hopes, preferences, and strengths.

Our current project is a community hub model that provides daily activities designed to achieve social inclusion and health outcomes. Consultations conducted with parents and support staff utilising community services have highlighted the need for a larger, accessible, and more engaging community space. A significant gap in sensory provision for individuals with sensory conditions is the lack of a quiet space that caters to the ongoing needs of both children and adults.

Our Governance and Management

The operations of Empower Care Scotland Ltd are governed and directed by a Board of Directors. The Board delegates the day-to-day operations of the company to a full-time Senior Officer (Director) who meets with the Chair monthly and provides written reports and regular advice to the Board at Board Meetings. Our Trustees are responsible for our organisation’s strategic direction.

Our Registration and Regulation

The work of Empower Care Scotland Ltd is governed by policy documents including those on child protection, confidentiality, lone working, alcohol and drugs, health and safety. The organisation is subject to regulation by – the OSCR, Care Inspectorate, SSSC and Disclosure Scotland.

Care Inspectorate as a services provider (SC2011298687)
Scottish Charity Regulator as a charitable organisation (SC029250)
Companies House as a company limited by guarantee (SC207039)

The present cluster of activities which aim to promote independence and self-reliance constitutes the organisation’s Inclusion Contract which is an essential element of our Service Level Agreement with North Lanarkshire Council and is monitored quarterly.

Throughout the years, Empower has had a strong and consistent partnership with North Lanarkshire Council. Being accepted as part of their Self-Directed Support providers list means that the organisation can deliver services to children and adults who have been allocated support budgets. Many valued relationships with social workers have been cultivated throughout the years to enhance the referral process, allowing for joined up working with professional colleagues during visits to vulnerable families. Latterly this partnership has also spread to include South Lanarkshire. Good partnership links with funders such as The Big lottery community Fund, Awards for All, Shared Care, Children in Need and the Safe Deposits fund have generated project delivery to young people where the traditional Self Directed Support budget isn’t an option for them.

Our office team, steered by our director are responsible for the operational and day to day running of our organisation. In overseeing and managing compliance, we ensure that each support worker is closely aligned with the SSSC codes of practice and exhibit a high standard of practice, guaranteeing a workforce that is skilled, trusted and confident in their delivery of quality care.