Carers - Know Your Rights
There are an estimated 1.1 million unpaid carers in Scotland, all of whom are entitled to certain rights as laid out in the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016. Unfortunately, many unpaid carers are unaware or unsure of what these are, and how to realise them.
These could include support from their local authority or health board with information, advice, finances, training, or involvement in decisions such as hospital discharge planning. Older carers could have an "underlying entitlement" to Carers Allowance which could increase their Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction.
To help, we've launched our "#KnowYourRights" campaign.
What is the Know Your Rights campaign?
Our "Know Your Rights" campaign is designed to raise awareness of carers’ rights so that all unpaid carers in Scotland can access all of the support and benefits they need.
At Age Scotland, we offer a range of free resources such as training courses and workshops, information guides, and access to friendly helpline advisors to assist carers better understand and realise their rights.
We want as many people as possible to have access to these resources, so that more carers can recieve everything they are entitled to.
Advice for Carers
Get advice and important information about carers' rights, including benefits and further support.
Carers’ Rights Free Online Training Courses
Age Scotland offer a programme of free, online training courses to help carers learn more about their rights. Our Dementia Training team develop and deliver free, friendly and accessible online workshops, available to all unpaid carers across Scotland. These courses aim to give carers the tools and knowledge to be able to better access their rights and seek support with their caring role.
The programme includes one hour taster workshops providing an introduction to carers’ rights, as well as longer workshops on various topics, including the Carers (Scotland) Act, Self-directed Support, Hospital Admissions and Discharge, Welfare Benefits and Power of Attorney.
Self Study Courses
We recognise that carers may not have the time to be able to commit to our fixed workshops, so our dementia training now offers free self-study modules covering topics such as Carers’ Rights and Dementia Awareness. These modules allow people to learn at their own pace and in their own time, with tutor support available.
Bookings for our self-study courses for carers are open at any time. Each module takes between 2 and 4 hours to complete at a time that suits you. You can save and return to your work as often as you need to and course tutors are available for consultation throughout.
Find out more and book onto our courses
Full details, including how to book any of our courses, can be found on our dementia training calendar
Carers’ Information Guides
Our Carers’ Rights Guide contains up to date information for adult unpaid carers in Scotland. Anyone who cares for a loved one or friend because they are ill or has a disability is classed as a carer, but many people don’t realise this. In fact, lots of people who care for a loved one in this way don’t actually recognise themselves as carers, which can stop them from fully realising their rights. The Carers’ Rights Guide provides a comprehensive overview of what it means to be a carer, issues faced by carers, what rights and benefits carers are entitled to, as well as signposting to support, further resources and services.
We also offer a guide specifically tailored for carers of someone living with early-stage dementia. This guide contains guidance on how carers can best support someone living with dementia, as well as general advice and information applicable to all carers.
Read more about some of our guides for carers
> Our guide to Carer's Allowance
> Our guide for carers of someone living with early-stage dementia
We can help: Call us on 0800 12 44 222
If you want to talk to someone about your rights as a carer or the rights of the person you care for you can call our helpline on 0800 12 44 222. Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
How can I help or get involved in the #KnowYourRights Campaign?
By supporting our campaign, you can help us to reach more carers, meaning as many as possible are able to better understand and realise their rights.
Sharing or engaging with our posts about the campaign on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin will really help us spread the word. Search #KnowYourRights and follow us on Twitter @agescotland, Facebook at Age Scotland, on Instagram @age_scotland, and Linkedin
Any questions?
If you have any questions about our campaign or the support we can provide carers, please feel free to reach out to us - we'd love to hear from you.
We can help
With a range of free resources aimed at carers, Age Scotland's training courses and workshops, information guides, and helpline advisers are here to help people understand and realise their rights.