Chamber
Plenary, 25 Nov 1999
25 Nov 1999 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Carers Strategy
Yes, I agree.
It is especially important that priority has been given to young carers. It is estimated that there are around 5,000 young carers in Scotland, a third of whom care for an adult with a mental illness. Young carers face many pressures and problems, including poor physical health and injury, lack of time for recreational and peer-centred activities and conflicts between caring responsibilities and schooling. Schools must be one of the key points of contact between young carers and support services. With that in mind, I encourage all Scottish schools to use the young carers pack produced by the Carers National Association.
I recently had the pleasure of hosting a briefing session presented by young carers from across Scotland. The briefing, which was co-ordinated by some of the major Scottish carers organisations, was well attended by members from all parties. All those who attended were touched by the stories that the young carers had to tell. It is important that young carers have a voice; only by listening to them can we provide the support structures that are needed.
One young carer, Jamie from Edinburgh, told her story. She said:
"I have been a young carer since I was six years old, I am now seventeen. Because of all the time I spent caring for my mum I didn't have much time to myself. I didn't go outtoplay ...I felt like I had to be with my mum all the time.
When I was at primary School I found it very difficult to mix with other children . . . I didn't think they would talk to me, all I could think about was being bullied . . . Nobody at school ever asked if I had any problems at home.
Just before my exams I got involved with the Edinburgh Young Carers Project . . . When I started talking about things I felt great . . . I think that it is important for every young carer to receive some kind of support."
I, too, believe that it is important for every young carer to receive support. Current Scottish legislation is flawed. Young carers under the age of 16 do not have a statutory right to request assessment. I welcome the Executive's recognition of that problem and its commitment to draw up legislative proposals as soon as possible to extend the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995.
Carers organisations recognise the need to proceed carefully and methodically. The carers legislation working group will include representatives of service users and carers groups and will ensure the production of well-drafted
legislation.
It is important that we acknowledge the valuable services that young carers provide and highlight the range of issues that impact on them. I welcome the measures detailed in the strategy for carers in Scotland. We have a long way to go, but thanks to the Scottish Executive we have at last embarked on that journey.
It is especially important that priority has been given to young carers. It is estimated that there are around 5,000 young carers in Scotland, a third of whom care for an adult with a mental illness. Young carers face many pressures and problems, including poor physical health and injury, lack of time for recreational and peer-centred activities and conflicts between caring responsibilities and schooling. Schools must be one of the key points of contact between young carers and support services. With that in mind, I encourage all Scottish schools to use the young carers pack produced by the Carers National Association.
I recently had the pleasure of hosting a briefing session presented by young carers from across Scotland. The briefing, which was co-ordinated by some of the major Scottish carers organisations, was well attended by members from all parties. All those who attended were touched by the stories that the young carers had to tell. It is important that young carers have a voice; only by listening to them can we provide the support structures that are needed.
One young carer, Jamie from Edinburgh, told her story. She said:
"I have been a young carer since I was six years old, I am now seventeen. Because of all the time I spent caring for my mum I didn't have much time to myself. I didn't go outtoplay ...I felt like I had to be with my mum all the time.
When I was at primary School I found it very difficult to mix with other children . . . I didn't think they would talk to me, all I could think about was being bullied . . . Nobody at school ever asked if I had any problems at home.
Just before my exams I got involved with the Edinburgh Young Carers Project . . . When I started talking about things I felt great . . . I think that it is important for every young carer to receive some kind of support."
I, too, believe that it is important for every young carer to receive support. Current Scottish legislation is flawed. Young carers under the age of 16 do not have a statutory right to request assessment. I welcome the Executive's recognition of that problem and its commitment to draw up legislative proposals as soon as possible to extend the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995.
Carers organisations recognise the need to proceed carefully and methodically. The carers legislation working group will include representatives of service users and carers groups and will ensure the production of well-drafted
legislation.
It is important that we acknowledge the valuable services that young carers provide and highlight the range of issues that impact on them. I welcome the measures detailed in the strategy for carers in Scotland. We have a long way to go, but thanks to the Scottish Executive we have at last embarked on that journey.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S1M-317, in the name of Iain Gray, on the Executive's commitment to the introduction of a carers strategy, an...
The Deputy Minister for Community Care (Iain Gray):
Lab
I welcome to the public gallery carers who have travelled from all over Scotland to be here today. Given the caring responsibilities that they have, that rep...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
I can now give an interim answer to the point of order that was raised by Kay Ullrich. I understand that the parliamentary question was asked by Lewis Macdon...
Kay Ullrich (West of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
welcome the sentiments that the minister has expressed. I am sure that carers across Scotland will join me in regarding this as a first step in the long-over...
Bill Aitken (Glasgow) (Con):
Con
We welcome today's motion. I congratulate the minister and Kay Ullrich on their contributions to an evocative and important matter. The minister is also to b...
Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP):
SNP
Mr Aitken says that the matter is not a question of finance and goes on to highlight the shortcomings in local government and the need to plough more money i...
Bill Aitken:
Con
Of course it is a question of finance, but it is also a question of enabling the people who might be on the periphery of making a contribution to do so. I do...
Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD):
LD
On behalf of the Liberal Democrats, I join in the plaudits to the deputy minister, who has produced a good paper and brought it before the chamber in an unde...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
A number of members want to speak in this afternoon's debate. I ask members to keep their speeches as close as possible to four minutes.
Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome today's debate. It is essential that our discussion of this issue is informed and constructive. We must move the carers agenda forward. The Scottis...
Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab):
Lab
Does the member for Airdrie and Shotts agree that the doubled allocation of resources for the provision of carers services, including respite care, displays ...
Karen Whitefield:
Lab
Yes, I agree.It is especially important that priority has been given to young carers. It is estimated that there are around 5,000 young carers in Scotland, a...
Fiona McLeod (West of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I, too, welcome the fact that we have highlighted young carers today and I wish to confine my remarks to that subject. I am glad that young carers are being ...
Dr Richard Simpson (Ochil) (Lab):
Lab
I must begin by declaring that I still act as a medical adviser to foster carers in the former Central Region, now Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire. Th...
Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I welcome the opportunity to debate this extremely important issue in Parliament. I will use my time to draw attention to the needs of the valuable people wh...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
There is time for one more speaker. I call Kate MacLean; you have three minutes.
Kate MacLean (Dundee West) (Lab):
Lab
Thank you, Presiding Officer. I will try to be brief. Iain Gray said that one of the first events he attended as a minister was a carers event. I wonder whet...
Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP):
SNP
On a point of order. Might it be noted when we have important debates such as this in future that ministers should not make statements prior to the debate? P...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
Thank you. I understand the point of order.
Mrs Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD):
LD
I welcome the minister's comprehensive speech and, like all the other members who have spoken today, the strategy for carers. It is good that we have moved t...
Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP):
SSP
On a point of order. It has been the practice for the Presiding Officer to indicate the number of members who wanted to speak in the debate but were unsucces...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
I am not aware that that is a practice, Mr Sheridan. For your information, I believe that the number is three.
Tommy Sheridan:
SSP
Thank you.
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
Much of what I wanted to say has been said. I am delighted that there is such consensus on this issue. I would like to think that, whether in a small or in a...
Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP):
SNP
I welcome the tone and substance of this debate. Members from all parts of the chamber have made good speeches. I am sure that the Minister for Health and Co...
Iain Gray:
Lab
Will Mr Hamilton give way?
Mr Hamilton:
SNP
I will not give way.The £5 million is a relaunch of money that has already been allocated. Welcome though that money is, let us not go down the track of sugg...
The Minister for Health and Community Care (Susan Deacon):
Lab
Let me say at the outset how genuinely pleased and proud I am to be standing here today shoulder to shoulder with Iain Gray and other members of the Executiv...
Kay Ullrich:
SNP
When the minister met representatives of local authorities, did they assure her that they were receiving adequate funding to provide community care services?
Susan Deacon:
Lab
Perhaps this is the appropriate point at which to address the SNP amendment. Amendments such as the one that has been moved today are dishonest and disingenu...