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The Act provides new rights to carers in a number of areas. These include:

  • a duty for local authorities to provide support to carers, based on the carer’s identified needs which meet the local eligibility criteria
  • a right to an adult carer support plan and young carer statement to identify your needs and personal outcomes. (This is available to carers of all ages, no matter how many hours of care they provide and whether or not the person they care for provides care)
  • a requirement for local authorities to have an information and advice service for carers which provides information and advice on, amongst other things, emergency and future care planning, advocacy, income maximisation and carers’ rights
  • a duty on the NHS to inform and involve you if the person you care for is discharged from hospital.

Download the Carers' Charter, which tells you all about the rights of carers under the Act. 

What to expect – The Carers (Scotland) Act

Our partner national carer organisation, the Coalition of Carers in Scotland have worked with a variety of carers, carer organisations and health and social care staff to co-design a set of leaflets for carers that set out what the new rights are and what to expect.

Latest updates

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Reflections on Carers Week – a message from our Chair
15 June 25

Carers UK Chair Nick Baird shares a message to mark the end of Carers Week. 

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Mental health and wellbeing for unpaid carers
14 June 25

Head of Carer Support, Michael Shann, has shared a message about supporting carers' mental health and wellbeing. 

News
Caring About Equality: the importance of intersectionality
13 June 25

Carers UK Research and Policy Manager, Melanie Crew, writes about the importance of intersectionality. 

News
For equality today and tomorrow we need to talk about health inequities and unpaid care
12 June 25

Director of Devolved Nations, Richard Meade, shares a blog about health inequities and unpaid care.

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