Scot Lib Dems question why half of carer support plans are not completed

Scottish Liberal Democrat deputy leader Wendy Chamberlain has today questioned why less than half of carers have a completed support plan and called for a package of measures to support “forgotten” carers.  

Figures from the Scottish Government’s Carers Census, published in December 2023, show that:

• There were 44,310 individual carers included in the final results who were supported by local services across Scotland in 2022-23. This represents a 5% increase from the reported number of carers in 2021-22 (42,050).
• Based on records where information on were available; 45% of carers supported by local services had a complete Adult Carer Support Plans (ACSPs) or and Young Carer Statements (YCSs) in place, while for 51% their ACSP or YCS was incomplete.
• The most commonly reported impact of providing unpaid care in 2022-23 was on carers’ emotional well-being. For records where this information was available; 79% of adult carers and 89% of young carers experienced an impact on their emotional well-being due to their caring role.  

Wendy Chamberlain said:  

“People who care for others – whether paid or unpaid, young or old – do a remarkable and important job. They deserve our support but are far too often forgotten and ignored.

“These figures show that under SNP ministers, even the basic work to ensure carers are supported is not being done.

“I believe my Carer’s Leave Act, which comes into effect in April, will kickstart a transformation by making unpaid carers entitled for the first time to take additional unpaid leave from work to help balance caring responsibilities. However, this is just the first step on the long road to ensuring that the hard work of those who care is properly valued by society.

“Alongside ensuring that these vital support plans are completed, Scottish Liberal Democrats would guarantee respite care for unpaid carers, ensure they have the right to flexible working hours wherever possible and work with local government to introduce a package of carer benefits including free leisure centre access and self-referral to socially prescribed activities and courses.”