Carer Support

If you care for someone, you may need support from time to time. The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 (opens new window) gives adults and young carers in Scotland rights.

The act is designed to:

• listen to carers
• make support in different areas more consistent
• support caring relationships and protect carers' health and wellbeing

Under the act, every carer has a right to a personalised plan to identify what is important to them. For adult carers this is called an Adult Carer Support Plan. For young carers (under the age of 18 or 18 and still at school) this is a Young Carer Statement.

Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 - Jargon Buster for Young Carers (PDF, 3 MB)(opens new window)

A carer can be:

• Adult Carers - At least 18 years old but is not a young carer
• Parent Carers - An adult who cares for a child with a long-term illness or disability to a greater extent than would be expected in a parenting role for the age and stage of the child
• Young Carers - Under 18 or aged 18 and still remaining in school who cares for a sibling, parent or other family member who has an illness or a disability
• Kinship Carers - Where a child is looked after by extended family or close friends if they cannot remain with their birth parents

As a carer you have the right to support to meet your needs to support you to continue to care:

• Be offered or to request an Adult Carers Support Plan or Young Carers Statement
• Support to meet any identified eligible needs
• A short breaks statement (it is a duty of each local authority to provide this)
• Be involved in planning carer services
• A local authority information and advice service for carers
• Be involved by the health board in the hospital discharge process for the person they are or are going to be caring for