Welcome to Carersnet
The Website of the Coalition of Carers in Scotland
CarersNet is a partnership project of the Coalition of Carers in Scotland. The Coalition is a network or alliance of over 80 autonomous local carer-led groups, centres and projects. Members of the Coalition meet quarterly to share information and debate issues. The Coalition is lead by an Executive Committee made up of carers and staff from local carer organsiations.
Quick Links & News Items
To navigate our Website simply use the menu list to your left and click on the subject you are interested in. Alternatively you can click on the quick links and news items below.
Carer Organisations Welcome New Regulations to Waive Charges for Support to Carers
We welcome the announcement made by Michael Matheson MSP at the debate on the Social Care (Self Directed) Support Bill on the 28th of November 2012 to develop new regulations which will waive charges to carers accessing support.
Michael Matheson MSP said:
"I plan to use the powers provided as a result of section 16 of the Bill to issue regulations that will make clear that all charges for support to carers should be waived in whole,"
"So, to be abundantly clear, carers will not be charged for the support they receive under Section 2 of the Bill."
We further welcome provisions to issue directions to local authorities about the ways in which they should approach the substantial and regular test on access to carers’ assessments to promote greater consistency on the approach that is taken across the country on the provision of carers’ assessments.
Some carers do not meet the threshold for a carer’s assessment and should be supported in a preventative basis to maintain their health and wellbeing. The Minister also announced that the Government will issue statutory guidance to local authorities about the benefits of intervening early to support carers and to encourage local authorities to provide this support.
The Government also agreed that it will examine the issue of a greater role for carers in the assessment of the cared-for person and in ensuring that local authorities collaborate with the carer through the work to develop a carers rights charter. Depending on the results of this work, the Government will then decide whether further action is needed.
There was some disappointment as the power to support carers in the Bill will not be replaced with a duty. It was agreed in the Parliament that this is a complex issue, with the risk that a duty may lead to formal eligibility criteria and in some cases carer support being targeted only at those in critical levels of need. The national carer organisations recognise this but will continue to press the case that providing support for carers as a matter of course prevents crisis, supports carers own health and, in the long run, saves the state significant amounts of money.
The national carer organisations will work with carers, the Scottish Government and others to ensure that all of these provisions best meet the needs of carers in Scotland.
Carers have been vital in achieving these improvements... their lobbying and campaigning throughout the passage of the Bill, including sharing their experiences with MSPs, has been instrumental in securing these important measures which we hope will improve their lives. They should be rightly proud.
To find out more about the Minister's announcement and other developments to the Bill you can download our briefing paper, co-produced by The Coalition of Carers in Scotland, Carers Scotland and The Carers Trust by clicking the link below:
Carers and The Social Care (Self Directed) Support Bill - Stage Three Briefing
Or to read the parliament's report on the debate, click the link below
Parliamentary Report - 28th November 2012
Is there a Crisis in Adult Social Care?
The Coalition has been asked to contribute a response to a series of discussion papers on Critical Issues in Contemporary Social Work. We examine the question 'Is there a crisis in adult social care?'
How do carers themselves view the current care system and the transformational changes planned for it? And if it is in crisis how is it affecting them? To find out more read our response, by following the link below:
Carers and the Crisis in the Adult Social Care
Integration of Adult Health and Social Care
The Scottish Government has introduced proposals for the NHS and Local Authorities to change the way they currently operate and work more closely together by integrating their services and resources.
The consultation ended in September and a Bill will be introduced early next year.
The Coalition held a series of listening events with its members across Scotland and submitted carers' messages to the consultation. From these we produced a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening the Bill from a carer's perspective.
As the Bill is introduced we will continue to ensure carers are able to contribute to its development and have their views heard.
To download a copy of our submission and recommendations and the summary of carers messages, follow the links below:
Coalition of Carers in Scotland submission to the Government's proposals for Integration
Messages from Carers on Integration
Scotland's Carers Manifesto 2011 to 2015
With the new Scottish Government now sitting in parliament, it is time to reflect on the success of Scotland's Carers Manifesto Campaign. Carers and campaigners have been working hard up and down the country over the last year to promote the manifesto and secure commitments for carers in each of the political parties manifestos. To find out more, including what each of the parties said about carers, follow the link below
Click here for further information.'Caring Together' Scotland's Carers Strategy 2010 to 2015.
On the 26th of July 2010 the Scottish Government in partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) launched 'Caring Together' a five year strategy outlining a shared vision for the future of carer recognition and support in Scotland. Click here for further information or a copy of the Strategy or briefing paper.
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