Monthly Archives: October 2013
Service users to gain right to independent advocacy through Care Bill
Government amendment would provide right to advocacy when a person needed substantial support in understanding information during care management or safeguarding processes and had no one else to support them.
The Care Bill returns to Parliament next week
Thursday 03 October 2013 22:42
Service users and carers would gain a right to an independent advocate to help them participate in the assessment, support planning or safeguarding process under a government amendment to the Care Bill.
The provision would apply if the person would experience substantial difficulty in understanding, retaining or weighing up relevant information, or in communicating their wishes, and they had no family member or friend to speak up for them.
The amendment – which will be moved by minister Earl Howe when the bill returns to the House of Lords next week – has been strongly welcomed by advocacy leaders, who have campaigned strongly for such a provision.
Public consultation due on supporting carers in Scotland
Scotland has about 657,000 unpaid carers, the Scottish government says
1 October 2013 Last updated at 16:07
The Scottish government wants to hear from the country’s unpaid carers on how they can be better supported.
First Minister Alex Salmond told a meeting of carers at Holyrood that a public consultation would take place on the issue before the end of the year.
Legislation is currently being drafted to improve the well-being of carers.
Scotland has about 657,000 unpaid adult carers, up to 100,000 young carers and many who provide care but who do not identify themselves as carers.
The government said it was keen to improve the lot of carers so they could continue their caring duties while remaining in work and having a life of their own.
It also wanted to prevent or delay hospital or residential care admissions for cared-for people.
