Question reference: S5W-17387
- Asked by: Margaret Mitchell, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 20 June 2018
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Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 10 July 2018
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to ensure that older people are aware of the provisions in the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016, now that it is in force.
Answer
The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 came into effect on 1 April 2018.
The Scottish Government is working to ensure that all carers, including older people who have a caring role, are aware of their rights under the Act. This includes:
- Scottish Ministers publishing a Carers' charter which provides clear, accessible information on carers’ rights under the Act and can be found here: https://beta.gov.scot/publications/carers-charter/
- Publishing statutory guidance to accompany the Act;
- Funding of the Coalition of Carers in Scotland (COCIS) to produce a suite of carer friendly ‘what to expect’ leaflets on different provisions within the Act;
- Funding the National Carer Organisations to raise awareness of the Act;
- Continuing to chair the Carers Act Implementation Steering Group which includes representation from carers, the National Carer Organisations, Health and Social Care Alliance, Alzheimer’s Scotland and Social Work Scotland.