Right to a Break - our response
The Scottish Government has recently been consulting on the implementation of the Right to a Break and today we've submitted our response.
The consultation provides an important opportunity to bring unpaid carers voices into a national conversation and to help influence how a future Right to a Break is designed.
At Shared Care Scotland, we believe it is vital that all of our work is informed by those we aim to support and those we work alongside in delivering that support, including local carer organisations, projects funded through the Short Breaks Fund, and delivery partners for our social tourism programme, Respitality.
Our response was therefore informed by a wide range of engagement activity, our longstanding policy and practice development work, and evidence from our 2024 survey on carers’ experiences of short breaks and respite care.
We identified key themes:
- Closing the implementation gap - Making sure the right works properly in practice, not just on paper.
- What makes a break meaningful - Ensuring breaks for carers are person-centered and give carers choice and control in how they are delivered.
- The reality on the ground - Highlighting the day-to-day challenges, including staff shortages, delays, and uneven access.
- Clarity and confidence - Making it clear what carers are entitled to so everyone knows what to expect.
- Fair access across Scotland - Making sure people have a more consistent experience, no matter where they live.
- Building a stronger picture - Getting a clearer, more reliable understanding of what’s available, what’s missing, and where improvements are needed.
To read our full response, click here