Over half a million people in Scotland act as carers for someone else. A carer is someone who looks after a member of their family, a friend or neighbour who is ill or has a disability, without being paid.
Many carers, and the majority of the people they care for are over 55. The Scottish Executive values the enormous contribution carers make, and is committed to supporting carers as key partners in providing care.
- Carers may be eligible for support through the benefits system (Carers Allowance) - contact your local Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) office for more information
- Carers can also get help or advice from their local council, and can ask their council to assess them to see whether they or the person they look after need support - contact your local council for more information
- There are also local carers' centres and other organisations that help carers with advice, support and other services - contact the Princess Royal Trust for Carers or Carers Scotland to find out about these local services
- In addition, the NHS Helpline, in some areas now operating as the NHS 24 service, provides information for carers, including details of projects supporting young carers - phone 0800 22 44 88 for more details
Carers can request the Executive's recent carers leaflet called One in Eight Care which provides advice on accessing practical support. It also alerts carers to their new legal rights under the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002. Copies of this leaflet can be obtained by telephoning 0131 244 4040.
GUIDANCE ON SUPPORTING CARERS
The Community Care & Health (Scotland) Act 2002 significantly extends the rights of many carers in Scotland to have their needs as a carer assessed. The Act also requires local authorities and the NHS to advise carers of their rights.
Local authorities are also required to recognise the care being provided by a carer and to take into account the views of a carer in deciding what services to offer to the person they care for. This requirement seeks to ensure that carers are regarded and treated as key partners in the provision of care. The Executive issued guidance on 31 March 2003 to local authorities, the NHS and the voluntary sector on how to implement this new legislation.