Carers Rights and Legislation

Information on the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016

Adult carers and young carers in Scotland provide invaluable support to family, friends and neighbours that they care for. The Scottish Government recognises the importance of supporting carers and young carers to remain in their caring roles and to be able to manage their own life alongside their caring responsibilities.

The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 came into effect on April 1, 2018. The principles of the Act include the provision of advice, guidance and if required support for carers and young carers to enable them to continue to care and to have a life alongside caring.

The Act is designed to support carers' health and wellbeing and help make caring more sustainable. Key requirements of the Act include:

A duty to develop and offer an Adult Carer Support Plan to someone who is identified as being a carer. The support plan must include emergency/ future planning and support the carer to meet their personal outcomes.
A duty to develop a Young Carer Statement and offer this to someone who is identified as a young carer.
Set out and publish Local Eligibility Criteria that include recognition that support will be provided if the eligible criteria are met.
A duty to provide support to carers who have eligible needs including consideration for short breaks from caring.
Provide information and advice services and publish a Short Breaks Statement
Put in place support for carers at the point of hospital discharge
Ensure carers have access to information locally
Involve both adult and young carers in the planning of services
Develop local Carers and Young Carers Strategies

South Ayrshire Carers and Young Carers Strategy

The South Ayrshire Integration Joint Board at its meeting on 16th May 2019, approved the new Adult Carers Strategy for the period 2019-2024. The Strategy was developed through discussions with carers, staff and partners including South Ayrshire Carers Centre, Crossroads and the Ayrshire Hospice.

The Young Carers Strategy was approved by the Integration Joint Board on 17th February 2021, and covers the period 2021 to 2026. In this Strategy we explain what it means to be a young carer and outline our plans to raise awareness, recognise and support young carers over the next five years.