Freedom of Information on Adult Carer Support Plans and Young Carer Statements in Scotland

“Unpaid carers across the country have worked tirelessly to support family and friends at a huge cost to themselves. This important research shows that carers have continued to ask for support and Councils have provided Support Plans and statements, albeit at a much reduced rate. The impact of the pandemic on carers’ mental health and wellbeing has been substantial with many expressing feelings of loneliness, isolation, stress and anxiety. We must urgently make sure carers are supported and their rights are upheld as we recover from the pandemic, so that these impacts are not compounded.”

Mark Griffin, MSP (Co-Convenor of the Cross Party Group on Carers)

About the Freedom of Information Report 

In response to the challenges of the pandemic, emergency legislation was passed, temporarily easing the duties of local authorities to prepare Adult Carer Support Plans and Young Carer Statements under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 for unpaid carers.

In May 2021, Carers Trust Scotland, on behalf of the Cross Party Group on Carers, issued a Freedom of Information request to the 32 local authorities in Scotland, asking them to report on various aspects of Adult Carer Support Plans and Young Carers Statements in the years 2019/2020 and 2020/2021. Responses were received from 29 local authorities, revealing trends in the support provided to unpaid carers throughout the pandemic.

Key findings

Across local authorities that provided data: 

  • There was a decline of 21% in the number of Adult Carer Support Plans being completed from 2019/2020 to 2020/2021. 
  • There was a decline of 24% in the number of Young Carer Statements being completed from 2019/2020 to 2020/21. 
  • A reduction by 35% of adult carers met the local eligibility criteria for support in 2020/2021 than in 2019/2020. 
  •  A reduction by 25% of young carers met the local eligibility criteria for support in 2020/2021 than in 2019/2020. 

Report: Analysis of Adult Carer Support Plans and Young Carer Statements 2019/2020 and 2020/2021

These findings were particularly important considering Carers Trust research, which found that the pandemic was very challenging for unpaid carers in Scotland. Research published in July 2021, found that 90% of respondents were spending more time caring and 82% said they hadn’t accessed any respite during the pandemic.