National carers strategy: fairer Scotland duty assessment

Stage 2 – Evidence

what does the evidence suggest about existing inequalities of outcome, caused by socio-economic disadvantage, in this specific policy area?

1. Overall, the proportion of people who are carers shows little difference between the least and most deprived areas.^[1]

Limitation: The age of the data raises questions about how well it applies to the current situation, although anecdotal evidence from other sources, including from those with lived and living experience, tend to support the data.

2. Carers are in all social groups but it is those in the most deprived areas that provide the most hours of caring.

47% of carers living in the most deprived areas care for 35 hours a week or more; compared with 24% of carers living in the least deprived areas

3.1% of people aged under 25 living in the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland are carers compared with 1.7% in the least deprived areas

28% of young carers in the most deprived areas care for 35 hours a week or more; compared with only 17% of carers in the least deprived areas.^[2]

Limitation: The age of the data raises questions about how well it applies to the current situation, although anecdotal evidence from national carer organisations tend to support the data.

3. Young carers are more common in lone parent families and also contribute the most hours.^[3]

Limitation: The age of the data raises questions about how well it applies to the current situation, although anecdotal evidence from other sources, including from those with lived and living experience, tend to support the data.

4. People providing the most intensive care (20 hours and more) are more likely to be in lower level occupations.^[4]

Limitation: The age of the data raises questions about how well it applies to the current situation, although direct engagement with unpaid carers with lived and living experience tends to support the data.

5. 14% of young carers in the Carers Census lived in the most deprived Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) decile compared to 5% who lived in the least deprived SIMD decile.^[5]

Limitation: A carer was included in the Carers Census only if they:

• had an Adult Carer Support Plan (ACSP) or Young Carer Statement (YCS) or review of their needs as a carer during the reporting period; or
• were offered or requested an ACSP or YCS during the reporting period; and/or
• received a specified support service (including short breaks or respite) during the reporting period.

6. One third of carers in employment in a recent study reported they are struggling financially.

Limitation: Although this evidence is old, direct engagement with unpaid carers and recent reports on the cost of living crisis support the data.

7. Economic status of carers - Scotland's 2011 census showed of carers aged 16 and over:

• 56% were employed or self-employed;
• 25% were retired;
• 8% were looking after home or family;
• 5% were long-term sick or disabled themselves; and
• 7% were doing other things, most of which were students or unemployed.

Limitation: The age of the data raises questions about how well it applies to the current situation, although direct engagement with those with lived and living experience and recent reports on the cost of living crisis tend to support the data.

what does the evidence suggest about possible impacts of the policy/programme/decision, as planned, on those inequalities of outcome?

All evidence, including anecdotal evidence and engagement with people with lived and living experience, points to the need to improve support to carers and ensure services are joined up so they can collaborate and better support carers. This is especially the case for carers on low incomes or unemployed; carers living in deprived areas; carers with no/low wealth or in debt; carers in material deprivation and carers from different social classes because they are likely to be disproportionately impacted by the negative effects of caring. This is partially due to the reason that those carers providing the most intensive caring tend to live in more deprived areas and many carers report that they are struggling financially. These financial challenges are likely to have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic and by the current cost of living crisis.

Therefore, the evidence suggests that the Strategy will improve equalities of outcome by helping to alleviate socioeconomic pressures related to caring roles, including existing socioeconomic risks exacerbated by caring. The initiatives should also provide targeted support to those most in need and mitigate unfair starts to create more opportunities and help carers to enjoy a more balanced life.

As the Strategy intends to improve outcomes for all carers - with a focus on improving health, financial and social care support - there are no negative impacts anticipated.

is there evidence that suggests alternative approaches to the policy/programme/decision? For example, evidence from the UK or international evidence?

n/a

what gaps are there in key evidence? Is it possible to collect new evidence quickly in other areas? For example, through consultation meetings, focus groups or surveys?

As indicated above, there are some limitations related to the age and quality of the data. Engagement with analytical teams and accessing resources produced by them has helped inform the development of the Strategy and served to fill any gaps in the evidence. Consultation with stakeholders, mainly national carer organisations and carer centres, allowed case studies to be collected which helped to corroborate previously collected evidence where minor gaps existed. This also served to illustrate and contextualise quantitative data extracted from the Carers Census.

how could you involve communities of interest (including those with lived experience of poverty and disadvantage) in this process? The voices of people and communities are likely to be important for identifying potential improvements to the programme/policy/decision.

A group of unpaid carers and the organisations that represent them were consulted at every major stage of the Strategy's development. This group included carers with lived experience of poverty and disadvantage. Ongoing engagement helped ensure that the relevant actions committed to within the Strategy were feasible, impactful and remained focused on improving equality of outcomes for disadvantaged carers.

Furthermore, extensive engagement with policy areas across government, including equalities and fair work, ensured that officials developing the Strategy were aware of socioeconomic factors, societal dynamics and cultures which may result in discrimination.

In addition, unpaid carers will be involved in the ongoing implementation of the Strategy through the existing Carers Rights and Support Steering Group. The group will be extended to include additional carers including those with lived and living experience of poverty and disadvantage. This group will be involved in measuring and monitoring the impact of the Strategy during its lifespan and will be able to share their own experiences and advise on next steps.