Introduction
The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 is a key piece of new legislation that promises to ‘promote, defend and extend the rights’ of adult and young carers across Scotland. The Bill (the draft legislation) progressed through parliament from 2015-2017 and the Act will become law on 1st April 2018. You can read about the progress of the Carers Act as it passes through the Scottish Parliament in more detail here.
Shared Care Scotland is one of many organisations contributing their knowledge and experience to this process, working closely with the other National Carer Organisations (NCOs). We have also used our respective networks to gather feedback directly from carers so that their voice is heard.
In this section of our website we aim to keep you updated on current status of the Act, including our most up-to-date evidence submissions and briefings. Full details of previous submissions and briefings can be found here.
Latest developments
August 2017
Consultation on Draft Regulations for the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016
The Scottish Government is currently seeking views on draft regulations being made under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 through a consultation which will remain open until 24 September 2017. The Carers Act regulations explain in more detail how different parts of the overall legislation are to be interpreted and applied. The regulations on short break services statements set out the minimum information local authorities will be expected to include in their statement.
The National Carer Organisations, of which Shared Care Scotland is one, have also produced a detailed briefing including position statements on the Draft Regulations. This can be viewed below.
- The Scottish Government consultation on the Draft Regulations is available here.
- The National Carer Organisations Draft Regulations Briefing is available here.
We strongly urge everyone with an interest in this legislation, either personally or professionally, to provide their views on these draft regulations. This can be done through the Scottish Government consultation or by completing the National Carer Organisations Online Survey to be included as part of their collective response.
Short Break Services Statement Regulations
The draft regulations on the Carers Act include a section on short break services statements. The regulations set out the minimum information local authorities will be expected to include in their statement. Shared Care Scotland have published an initial response to the draft regulations on short break services statements which can be viewed here. We will also submit a final response before the consultation deadlines.
Consultation on the Carers Charter
In addition to the draft regulations, the Scottish Government is also seeking views on the Carers Charter through a consultation which will remain open until 22 October 2017. This is a key element of the new legislation which will come into force on 1 April 2018 and will set out the new rights afforded to carers under the Act. The National Carer Organisations have also produced a detailed briefing including position statements on the Carers Charter. This can be viewed below.
- The Scottish Government consultation on the Carers Charter is available here.
- The National Carer Organisations briefing on the Carers Charter is available here.
You can provide your views on the Carers Charter through the Scottish Government consultation or by completing the National Carer Organisations Online Survey to be included as part of their collective response.