Mental health and wellbeing in primary care services: resources

28. Unpaid carers

28.1 Support for unpaid carers

Supporting carers in their own right improves outcomes for them and the person for whom they are caring. Sustaining caring relationships in this way has major benefits for our health and social care system.

The Carers Act is fundamental to carers’ rights. The Act gives all unpaid carers rights to an adult carer support plan or young carer statement to identify each carer’s personal outcomes and needs for support. This reflects a general preventative approach, which also underpins the duty on local authorities to provide information and advice services to unpaid carers.

The Scottish Government’s Carers’ Charter tells carers more about their rights under the Act and there are a range of organisations on hand to give them any information or support they may need.

Local authorities or carers centres carer centres usually have peer support groups where they can connect with other carers, or take part in social activities or training to further develop their skills. Local carer centres can be found at Care Information Scotland.

Our National Wellbeing Hub provides advice for unpaid carers, with information and resources to support carers to look after their mental health and wellbeing.