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Carers in Scotland

A carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour, who could not manage without their help. This could be due to age, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.

The term carer should not be confused with a care worker, or care assistant, who receives payment for looking after someone.

How Many Carers Are There in Scotland?

Carers are everywhere... in greater numbers than you may think. At least 1 in 8 people in Scotland provide unpaid care. The work that carers do saves Scotland's NHS £7.6 billion per year, almost the equivalent of running a second NHS.

The 2001 Scottish census was the first to ask a question about caring and carers. It asked : "Do you look after, or give any help or support to family members, friends, neighbours or others because of long term physical or mental ill-health or disability or problems related to old age?"

The census revealed the following:

At the time of the census, 481,579 respondents self-identified as providing unpaid care. Of this total:

63.4% (305,610) claimed to provide between between 1-19 hours of unpaid care per week
12.5% (60,294) claimed to provide between between 20-49 hours of unpaid care per week
24% (115,675) claimed to provide between between 50 hours + of unpaid care per week


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	Home Carers in Scotland Who is a carer? Research & Statistics About the Coalition Background Becoming a member Our Executive Commmitee Our Working Groups Our Publications Coalition Meetings Next Meeting Last Meeting Previous Meetings Training Events Policy and Legislation Policy Updates Key Policy & Legislation Local Carer Strategies Consultation Opportunities Campaigning Campaign News How to get involved Contact Details Our contact details Member Organisations Links National Carer Groups Useful Links				A carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour, who could not manage without their help. This could be due to age, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability. The term carer should not be confused with a care worker, or care assistant, who receives payment for looking after someone. How Many Carers Are There in Scotland? Carers are everywhere... in greater numbers than you may think. At least 1 in 8 people in Scotland provide unpaid care. The work that carers do saves Scotland's NHS £7.6 billion per year, almost the equivalent of running a second NHS. The 2001 Scottish census was the first to ask a question about caring and carers. It asked : "Do you look after, or give any help or support to family members, friends, neighbours or others because of long term physical or mental ill-health or disability or problems related to old age?" The census revealed the following: At the time of the census, 481,579 respondents self-identified as providing unpaid care. Of this total: 63.4% (305,610) claimed to provide between between 1-19 hours of unpaid care per week 12.5% (60,294) claimed to provide between between 20-49 hours of unpaid care per week 24% (115,675) claimed to provide between between 50 hours + of unpaid care per week