Carers (Scotland) Act 2016
New rights for unpaid carers and new duties for local authorities and health and social care partnerships come into effect from 1 April 2018.
The intention of the Act is to ensure unpaid carers are better supported so they can continue to care, if they wish, whilst maintaining their wellbeing and to have a life alongside caring.
A ‘carer’ is defined as someone who provides or intends to provide care for another person. There is no requirement for a carer to provide a substantial amount of care, on a regular basis.
We have produced a Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 information leaflet.
The Act means:
1. Adult carers have a right to an ‘Adult Carer Support Plan’.
An Adult Carer Support Plan is the new name for the carer’s assessment. It is a conversation that identifies the extent to which the carer is able and willing to provide care and the ‘personal outcomes’ which matter to the carer in order to carry out their caring responsibilities, as well as any needs a carer may have. This will be arranged through Quarriers Carer Support Service, the local commissioned service provider.
2. Young carers have a right to a ‘young carer statement’.
A Young Carer Statement is a plan that sets out information about the young carer’s circumstances and caring role. The plan will set out a young carer’s ‘personal outcomes’, the goals which matter to the young carer in order continue to provide care, where that is appropriate, and have a life alongside caring. It will set out the needs a young carer may have and the support available to meet the carer’s needs.
3: Carers have a right to support to meet any ‘eligible needs’.
The local eligibility criteria is a framework used to identify whether an adult or young carer should receive support from the Moray Council and Health and Social Care Moray to meet their identified needs. In Moray we will use the national eligibility framework.
If a carer meets the local eligibility criteria support may take the form of self-directed support (SDS).
If a carer’s identified needs do not meet the local eligibility criteria, support can still be provided for example, information and advice; education and training and/or general support available in the local community.
Carers may also be offered support such as breaks from caring.
4. Carers have a right to be involved in services.
Moray Council and Health and Social Care Moray have a duty to consult with carers when shaping services which impact on their caring role. This includes preparing local carer strategies.
5. Carers have a right to be involved in the hospital discharge process of the cared-for person.
The health board must ensure it involves the unpaid carer in hospital discharge planning.
6. Information and advice for carers
There is a duty on the local authority to have access for carers to information and advice services, covering a range of mandatory areas, including emergency planning (for example, through Quarriers Carer Support Services).
The local authority will publish a Short Breaks Services Statement with information about short breaks services available for local carers.
In addition, the Scottish Government has created a Carers’ Charter setting out the rights of carers in the Act. You can more about the charter on the Scottish Government website here.
To find out more contact:
Quarriers Care Support Service (Moray)
44 High Street Elgin
Tel 01343 556031