Scottish Carer's Assistance: consultation - easy read

Introduction

Unpaid carers are people who look after a family member or friend who needs help. This is because of illness or a disability. They are not paid for the support they give.

Unpaid carers give important support to the people they care for. They also have a huge impact on Scotland as a whole.

Caring can be a positive experience for unpaid carers and the people they care for. But it can also affect carers' health and their ability to study or work. Carers may also have less time for themselves or feel lonely.

We want all carers to have support which lets them keep caring if they wish to. We want them to have good health and wellbeing, and a life of their own outside of caring.

The Scottish Government has had some powers to pay benefits to carers since 2017. We make extra payments to people who get Carer's Allowance in Scotland. This is called the Carer's Allowance Supplement. We also provide the Young Carer Grant.

Carers can also get other support. Carers in Scotland can ask for a plan from their council that says what their needs are as a carer. It says what help they can get. This may include short breaks from caring, or information and advice on money. The support may be from a local carer centre or a charity.

We are also working to create a National Care Service. A National Care Service would mean the Scottish Government would be responsible for social care services. The National Care Service would help make social care and support for unpaid carers in Scotland better.

We are also working on a Carers Strategy for the future. This is a plan for how we can support unpaid carers.