If you are an unpaid carer looking after a family member, friend or neighbour, you need to know about a new law that comes into effect in Scotland on 1st April.
The new Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 gives you improved rights, as well as ensuring that you are involved in planning care for yourself and the person you care for.
Carer’s Support Plan
You are entitled to a Carer’s Support Plan, which looks at five areas of your life:
- health and wellbeing
- managing your caring role
- how you are valued by services
- planning for the future
- finances and benefits.
The support plan is your gateway to various types of support, including statutory services, advice and emotional support, training, information and access to short breaks and respite, benefits advice, carers support groups and signposting to other services.
Borders Carers Centre is piloting new support plans for adults and young adult carers, along with new local eligibility criteria, on behalf of Scottish Borders Council.
The council has a duty to provide statutory support if you meet the eligibility criteria.
For carers
If you are an unpaid carer, or about to become one, please contact Borders Carers Centre for more information on 01896 752431 or e-mail
For professionals
The Carers Centre has developed an expert carers group to deliver training for health and social care professionals. Contact the centre if you want to know more about the Carers’ Act or our training programme for professionals.