Important: Cookie Policy
We use cookies to help keep our site relevant and easy to use. To help us do this
we need your permission to use cookies. Read more...
EU legislation requires that all websites clearly specify if cookies are being used
and their purpose. For more information on the cookies we use view our privacy policy.
South Ayrshire Council use Google Analytics which uses cookies to anonymously track
activity on our site. We use this information to keep our site relevant and to make
it easier to use. We have already set a cookie that is essential to the sites operation.
If you accept the use of cookies on this website you will no longer see this message.
We will also place a preference cookie and Google will place temporary session cookies
on your computer.
Should you later, manually delete the preference cookie then you will need to re-confirm
your preference when you next visit this website.
Yes, I accept the use of cookies
Community Services
Carers Action Network
…”Imagine a job that employs more than seven million people, that offers
no breaks, no holiday allowance, and no pay…those are the conditions under
which about 13% of the Scottish population works. They are carers”…
Scotland on Sunday Magazine
Download Carers Action Network
(South Ayrshire) Research Report
The circumstances of carers are likely to be different, depending on the needs and
circumstances of the person being care for:
- A parent looking after, or supporting a young adult with mental illness may need
information about the illness, and how to respond appropriately to its more challenging
symptoms and behaviours.
- Someone caring for a partner who has experienced a stroke or a head injury, with
subsequent physical disabilities, may need training in personal care, moving and
handling, or nursing techniques.
- Someone providing care and support for an older parent, perhaps living at a distance
may need help and reassurance to understand the risks involved, and the availability
of services in a different area.
- A child or young person caring for a parent who abuses alcohol or drugs needs to
know that the responsibility is not theirs and they have to learn how to cope in
order to stay at home with the parent they love.
There are, therefore, disadvantages in talking about carers as though they are a
homogeneous group who share the same needs. Experience over the past few years has,
however, shown that there are major common but unmet needs for information, for
continuing reliable support, and for a break.
Social policy in Scotland relating to the recognition and support of carers has
developed greatly over the past decade. The Carers (Recognition and Services) Act
1995 and National Carers Strategies were major steps forward in government and society
recognising the enormous contribution made by informal carers to the continuing
care and welfare of its citizens.
The Scottish Parliament approved a strategy for carers. It set out in detail how
the Executive planned to implement the UK strategy Caring for Carers,
launched earlier by the Prime Minister.
It described the contribution made by people of all ages who looked after relatives,
friends, or family members who, because of disability, mental or physical illness,
the consequences of old age, or addictive behaviours, cannot manage at home without
help. This strategy required every local authority and health board to ensure that
all carers had improved access to better and more flexible services at a local level.