National Carer Organisations launch 2021 manifesto
- Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
- Type: News Item
- Published: 8th March 2021
Actions to support carers include mental health and employability programmes, the right to respite, and young carer champions in schools.
Scotland’s National Carer Organisations have launched their unpaid carers and young carers manifesto for the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections. They estimate that there are 729,000 unpaid carers in Scotland, including 29,000 young carers. Research in June 2020 suggests that a further 392,000 people became unpaid carers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic meaning well over a million Scots, or one in five, currently provide unpaid care.
The manifesto has two strands, the first of which addresses key issues for unpaid carers in general. Amongst the calls in this strand are:
- A right to respite, with more options available
- Bridging the implementation gap between promise and reality
- Recognition for the vital role of third sector and community support
- Dedicated mental health support and employability programme for carers
- Reform of the Carer’s Allowance, available to those caring for 20 hours a week or more
Young carers are the focus of the second strand, with calls including:
- Recording young careers as having additional support needs in school
- Young Carer Champion in every school
- More flexible, carer friendly course structures in colleges and universities
- Free access to “Out of School Care” services and activities to support social wellbeing
- Allowing multiple young carers to receive the Young Carer Grant for caring for the same person
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