Interim National Care Service Advisory Board: Advice to Scottish Ministers and Council Leaders - Rights to Breaks for Carers

Advice to local authorities and health and social care partnerships

The interim Board recommends that Local Authorities and HSCPs:

Allocation and Use of Resources

• Ensure all additional funding provided for the Right to Breaks is directed to the intended purpose of supporting carers’ access to meaningful breaks and be able to demonstrate how this has been applied locally to enable financial transparency.
• Contribute to national understanding of demand and cost by sharing data that supports any transitional arrangements.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Establish local systems for tracking breaks delivered, spend and waiting times.
• Ensure transparent reporting on the use and impact of funds.
• Participate in the development and delivery of nationally consistent reporting. It is essential that reporting is proportionate and does not take away critical resource from delivery. Equally, it is essential that trust is built through being fully transparent about progress and use of funding.

Service Capacity and Workforce

• Map current provision and identify gaps by geography, need and type of break.
• Commission additional capacity, including flexible and community‑based models.
• Engage with providers to support sustainable, long‑term commissioning.
• Ensure local staff receive training to implement the Right effectively and there is sufficient capacity to process ACSPs and YCS within reasonable timeframes.

Communication and Awareness

• Ensure consistent and proactive offer of ACSPs and YCSs, including targeted outreach to groups less likely to self-identify as carers.
• Deliver training for frontline professionals to support early identification and referral for ACSP/YCS.
• Ensure accessible information including translated materials, formats for disabled carers and appropriate communication for young carers.