Carers have votes: it's time to deliver

Every carer has a right to good health

• NHS Carer Information Strategies must be fully implemented across Scotland by 2009 to prevent today's carers becoming tomorrow's patients.
• From 2007, at least 5000 carers must receive a carer's assessment each year.

Every carer must be able to access regular and appropriate breaks from caring

• By 2011, carers in greatest need must have a minimum annual entitlement to breaks from caring.
• From 2008, additional investment of £135 million per annum must be made to increase availability and access to high quality short breaks.
• National and local short break strategies must be developed and delivered against clearly defined improvement targets.  The emphasis of the targets should be to improve the quality, range, flexibility and accessibility of services, and to give carers and service users greater choice and control.

Every carer must have access to appropriate support

• By 2008, an additional £10 million must be invested in carer organisations to consolidate Scotland's carer support infrastructure.  Carer organisations must be equipped to deal with the increasing numbers of carers referred to their services.
• Carer organisations must be recognised as vital partners and their services safeguarded through long term funding arrangements.

Every carer must have access to carer training to support them in their caring role

• £1.5 million must be invested each year to develop and deliver comprehensive Expert Carer training programmes.
• All carers must have access to appropriate training, delivered free of charge, tailored to meet their caring situation.
• Health Boards and Local Authorities must promote training opportunities for carers and will invest in the development and local delivery of Expert Carer training.

Every child and young person with caring responsibilities deserves the right to be a child first

• A minimum £1 million each year must be invested to strenghten the capacity of dedicated services.  This will provide support for an additional 700 young carers.
• The Scottish Executive must provide a framework for all schools, health and social services to identify young carers.
• The Scottish Executive must ensure young carers receive effective support provided by an appropriately skilled and competent workforce.

Every carer must have the right to live free of poverty with opportunities to work and take part in lifelong learning

• The Scottish Executive must, in partnership with Westminster colleagues, call for a full review of carers benefits and financial support.
• The Scottish Executive must issue guidance to ensure that carers will not be charged for services to support them in their caring role, including breaks from caring.
• The Scottish Executive must extend concessionary travel to carers to support their access to leisure and education.
• The Scottish Executive must issue guidance on carers' assessments to take account of carers' desire to work and take part in education and leisure.
• Carers must have access to flexible learning opportunities.  National and local organisations must work together to deliver these.