The Carers Act enhances the rights of carers in Scotland to help improve their health and wellbeing, so that they can continue to care, if they so wish, and have a life alongside caring.
In Dundee, we want all carers to be supported if they need it, therefore services are available to access when you need support. This includes a wide variety of support, information and advice through and other local organisations in Dundee.
Visit Dundee Carers Centre Website
In Dundee, carers sometimes make plans for themselves with the help of a Support Worker. This plan might be enough to allow them to continue caring. Sometimes this is all some carers want or need in terms of planning their support. Other carers may want an Adult Carer Support Plan or a Young Carers statement, which can allow them to tell an assessment practitioner about their own needs and help them plan to achieve what matters to them as a carer.
Different arrangements are in place across Scotland for accessing an Adult Carer Support Plan. The Dundee Adult Carer Support Plan is for carers who look after one or more adult or child living in Dundee. Adult carers should request an Adult Carers Support Plan with the main practitioner who works with the person they care for.
During the Adult Carer Support Plan process, carers can discuss their caring role and responsibilities with practitioners who work with the person they support and find out if they can access services and support because of their caring role.
When the adult carer supports another adult, the carer should discuss their request for an Adult Carer Support Plan with the worker in Health and Social Care who supports the person they care for. If the carer is uncertain about who this is the carer should get in touch with the First Contact Service who will direct their request to the appropriate worker.
When the main person the carer looks after is a child, the carer should speak to the person who works with them and their child who may complete the assessment themselves or request an appropriate assessor to complete this with the carer.
For young carers (under 18) the support plan is part of a Young Carer Statement. Young carers should speak to any professional working with them to discuss a Young Carer Statement.
If your Adult Carer Support Plan or Young Carer Statement identifies that there are supports that you would benefit from that aren’t currently available and if you meet the eligibility threshold, you may be entitled to additional funding to meet your needs. Carers who do not meet eligibility criteria will still receive help and can access services such as information and advice from local carer support services.
A key feature of the Act relates to carer involvement. Carers must be involved in the planning, shaping, delivery, and review of service. This includes involvement in the development of the local Carer Strategy, as well as the local Short Break Services Statement.
Visit our Carers Involvement Page
Hospital discharge planning is also covered by the Act. Local Health Boards have a duty to involve carers in making decisions relating to hospital discharge for the person they care for or intend to provide care for.
To read the full legislation click here Click here
Coalition of Carers have summarised the act in the following guides that may be helpful to carers:
What to Expect – The Carers (Scotland) Act
Coalition of Carers also developed individual leaflets which highlight different areas of the Act. They can be downloaded here:
The UNCRC is an international human rights treaty that covers all aspects of children’s lives. It includes civil, political, economic and cultural rights.
The main purpose of the Bill is to “incorporate” the UNCRC, which means it will make it part of Scottish law.
The Carers’ Charter contains information about your rights as an adult carer or young carer in Scotland under the Carers Act.
Read the full charter here
MECOPP has produced a guide to the Carers Act which is also available in Chinese and Urdu.
You can download copies below
