Key Points

• As complete returns were not submitted by all areas, the data presented is likely an undercount of the true number of carers being supported by local services in 2023-24.

Carers

• There were 52,000 unpaid carers supported by local services across Scotland included in the final results in 2023-24 - a 17% increase from the reported number of carers in 2022-23 (44,310). However, absolute changes over time should be interpreted with caution due to varying response rates and improving data quality between years.
• Almost three in five carers (58%) in the Carers Census were working age (18-64 year old) adults in 2023-24. Adults aged 65 plus made up a quarter of carers identified (26%), whilst young carers aged under 18 accounted for 16% of the carers.
• Around three-quarters of carers in the 2023-24 Carers Census were female (73%), similar to last year. Female carers outweigh male carers in all age groups, with the most pronounced difference being seen in the working age carer group – where 80% of carers aged between 18 and 64 were female.
• A deprivation effect for unpaid carers supported by local services was noted, however this was greater for young carers. In 2023-24, 15% of young carers lived in areas within the most deprived Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) decile, while 5% lived in areas within the least deprived SIMD decile.

Intensity of Care and Impact

• Based on the 35,250 records with information on intensity of care; 56% of unpaid carers supported by local services spent an average of 50+ hours a week providing unpaid care in 2023-24.
• The most common impact of providing unpaid care in 2023-24 was on the emotional well-being of carers. Where this information was available; 86% of adult carers and 91% of young carers experienced an impact on their emotional well-being as a result of their caring role.
• Carers with more intense caring roles were more likely to experience impacts in 2023-24. 34% of carers providing up to 19 hours of care a week experienced an impact on their health, compared to 72% of those caring for 50+ hours a week.

Support Plans, Needs and Support Provided

• Where information on Adult Carer Support Plans (ACSPs) and Young Carer Statements (YCSs) was available; 55% of carers supported by local services had a complete ACSP or YCS in place, while 38% had incomplete ACSPs or YCSs. Some carers were recorded as having both a complete and incomplete plan, which may reflect changes to their situation.
• Based on the 22,730 records for which information on carers’ support needs was available; more than three in five carers (64%) were recorded as needing advice and information in 2023-24.
• Where this information was available; the most common form of support provided to carers was advice and information (provided to 72% of carers). Young carers were more likely to be provided with short breaks or respite than adult carers (55% compared to 37%), as well as peer support (50% compared to 16%).