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REPORT OF THE SCOTTISH CARERS' LEGISLATION WORKING GROUP

INTRODUCTION

THE STRATEGY FOR CARERS IN SCOTLAND

1. There are about 500,000 carers in Scotland. People who regularly provide voluntary care for relatives or friends who are unable to look after themselves. It is estimated that about 5,000 of these are young carers aged under 18.

2. The Scottish Executive made supporting carers a priority and under its Programme for Government committed itself, in its first year in office, to the introduction of a Strategy to support carers in the year 2000. The Strategy for Carers in Scotland was introduced on 24 November 1999. It has five main aims:

• to improve the information on help and support for carers
• to add to, and improve, the local services that help carers to cope
• to introduce new laws that will help carers
• to make sure there are consistent national standards for the kind of short breaks carers need
• to check that carers are getting the help they need.

3. Implementation of the Strategy is being taken forward in a variety of ways. Under the Strategy a Carers Legislation Working Group (referred to as the Group) was set up in January 2000 to take forward the commitment to introduce new laws to help carers. This report sets out the discussions of the Group and its main recommendations. The findings of the Group and its recommendations have been made to Scottish Executive Ministers, who have declared their intention to consult on them publicly.

4. Subject to the outcome of this consultation exercise the Scottish Executive has committed itself to introducing new legislation to help carers as soon as is possible.

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