The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-16302, in the name of Paul O’Kane, on young carers action day 2025. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament acknowledges that 12 March 2025 marks Young Carers Action Day; welcomes the annual campaign initiative, led by Carers Trust, which is encouraging as many organisations, communities and individuals as possible to take part in the day by taking action, and supporting and raising awareness of young carers; recognises the 2025 theme, Give Us a Break, which will focus on ensuring that young carers are able to access timely and restful breaks to avoid burnout from their caring role, and the need for education professionals and employers to give them a break in life by supporting them in school and at work, and creating better life opportunities; commends what it sees as the immense contribution that young carers make to society, including in the West Scotland region, by caring for their family or friends who are ill, frail, disabled or have mental health or addiction problems; believes that caring for someone should not be a barrier to having an equal opportunity in learning, earning or being able to participate and get on in life; recognises that young carers’ responsibilities at home can mean that they often feel overwhelmed at having to juggle their caring responsibilities with their school work and social life; notes Carers Trust’s research, which found that 52% of young carers surveyed said that they always or usually feel stressed because of being a young carer or young adult carer; acknowledges what it considers is the importance of events such as the Scottish Young Carers Festival, which provide an opportunity for young carers to have a break from their caring role, meet other young carers and have fun; understands that young carers want lasting meaningful change to take place to ensure that young carers now, and in the future, remain at the forefront of policy development and have access to the support and breaks that they are entitled to and deserve; recognises what it sees as the importance of rest and respite for young carers in Scotland; notes the view that all young carers deserve a break, and wishes all involved in this year’s #YoungCarersActionDay the very best of luck in their endeavours.
12:50
I am very pleased to bring this motion to allow the Parliament to recognise young carers action day 2025 and to pay tribute to the many thousands of young unpaid carers across Scotland. I am delighted, as I am sure everyone across the chamber is, that we are joined in the gallery by so many young carers from across Scotland. [Applause.] Our Thursday sessions are always long because of First Minister’s question time, so I appreciate that some folk might have popped out for a comfort break and will join us again, but it is great to see the gallery so full.
I also offer huge thanks to all those at Carers Trust Scotland for co-ordinating this young carers action day and getting all the young people here today, and for all the work that they do year round to support young carers. I know that many young carers have often said that they feel invisible; they feel that they are not seen, heard or talked to, particularly by politicians. That is why it is important that so many young carers are here today, in their Parliament, to hear their representatives fronting up to the challenges that they face, listening to their views and saying what we can do about it.
The Scottish Government estimates that, across Scotland, there are at least 30,000 carers under the age of 18. That is probably a significant underestimate, as other studies have suggested that there could be as many as 100,000 young carers in Scotland. In today’s debate, there will be a number of asks for the minister to respond to, and I know that she will be listening acutely to the many views that will be expressed by colleagues across the chamber and by the young people themselves.
I will kick off by asking how confident the Scottish Government is in its estimates, what the barriers are to getting an accurate understanding of the number of young carers in Scotland and what has been done to address the challenges that exist in the data. The first step in providing all the support that young carers need and deserve is to have an accurate picture of who they are and where they are, so it is critical that we get identification data correct.
Young carers who provide support for their family, friends and other members of their extended network due to illness, disability, mental health problems, addiction or any other number of challenges have to deal with so much additional responsibility over and above the education, training or work that they might be in. They also need time to simply enjoy being a young person and doing all the things that young people should do. Often, they take on burdens that no young person should have to take on at their age, with consequences for their own health, both mental and physical, and for their ability to get the most out of the opportunities that are afforded to young people, most notably education and training.
That is why the theme of this year’s young carers action day is “geezabreak”. Young carers have so much responsibility on their shoulders that they often have little time for themselves and are at serious risk of burnout. They need a break, and we know that young carers are significantly more likely to report severe psychological distress than their peers without a caring role. The need for time out from their caring responsibilities to rest, recharge and focus on themselves, be it through a hobby or just spending time with friends or other people their own age, is so important.
The “give me a break” theme also speaks to young carers’ need for education professionals and employers to recognise their caring responsibilities and to give them a break in life. That could be by offering young carers more support at school, in recognition of the fact they often feel overwhelmed from having to juggle their caring responsibilities at home with coursework, exams or just being present on school days. In that vein, just yesterday, I was contacted by a constituent in my village of Neilston, who asked about the support available to young carers in schools. I think that that constituent is in the gallery today, so I am glad to be able to raise the issue.
The evidence from young carers on their struggles at school is clear and compelling. Forty-seven per cent of student carers said that attending classes was challenging; 49 per cent said that they are never, or not often, getting help at school, college or university to balance caring with their education; and 87 per cent said that concentration on assignments and work at home was challenging. Support in education is vital not just for lightening the load of caring duties in that moment, but also for the young person’s longer-term future and ensuring that life opportunities are not permanently stunted during a critical phase of any young person’s life.
In closing, the minister could perhaps say something about support in schools and putting in place training for teachers to be able to properly identify and deal with young carers in a safe and comforting way. She might also mention what guidance is available to schools and teachers on how to engage with young carers to ensure that they are not inadvertently adding to the weight on their shoulders. I know that the minister is answering today, but I appreciate, too, that it will take a cross-Government response. Indeed, I am keen to see such engagement across Government, because it is vital that everyone takes responsibility for supporting young carers.
Beyond education, young carers in general need respite, as I have said. Again, the evidence on the pressure that they are under is clear from the 2023 Carers Trust survey. Fifty-two per cent always or usually feel stressed because of being a young carer or a young adult carer; 25 per cent either never or do not often feel that they are getting enough sleep; 43 per cent of young carers or young adult carers have said that caring always or usually affects how much time they spend with their friends; and more than half of young carers or young adult carers always or usually feel worried about their future. It is very clear from those stark statistics on the views of young carers that they need a break. They need time to enjoy hobbies; they need to spend time with friends and take time for themselves for their own health and wellbeing.
I want to sum up by recognising the work done by Carers Trust and the myriad other organisations in Scotland to provide opportunities for young people for that break. The young carers festival in Scotland, for example, has been so beneficial to so many carers over the past 18 years. I know that many colleagues in the chamber will have attended it, engaged with young people there and seen all the fun activities that go on.
As I have said, there are examples of organisations and projects across all our regions and constituencies that are providing support to young carers so that they can have that break. It could be as simple as having a protected evening for young people to come together, to share time with other young carers or friends to talk about their similar experiences, or even to switch off. In East Renfrewshire, having a pizza, being able to watch a film with friends or just hanging out is very valuable. It might seem very simple to all of us, but it is all about the added thought process that must go into that sort of thing when someone is a young carer.
I thank all the young carers in the gallery today and the young carers across Scotland for all the effort that they put into supporting family members, friends and those whom they care for, and for playing a vital role in ensuring that we have more resilient and stronger communities. We must all resolve to do all that we can, across the chamber and across party political lines, to support young carers. I hope that that is what we will hear in this debate.
Thank you, Mr O’Kane. We now move to the open debate, with back-bench speeches of up to four minutes.
12:58
I thank my colleague Paul O’Kane for introducing his members’ business debate. I am absolutely delighted to speak in praise of our young carers and their support staff across Scotland, and I warmly welcome the young carers in the gallery, including those from my constituency.
Ahead of the debate, I was reflecting on last year’s members’ business debate, which Karen Adam led and in which we talked about the important role that schools play in supporting young carers. Olivia and Sara are here today from Braehead primary school, along with young carer co-ordinators Mrs Lawrie and Miss Light. When I recently visited them at school, they gave an excellent presentation on what it means to them to be a young carer. The school is an exemplar and one of only six schools in Stirling to have achieved the “We recognise” and “We develop” levels of the we care award.
It was amazing to see what has been embedded in the school. Being a young carer is celebrated and achievements are shared with the whole school; there is no stigma; and the co-ordinators are always actively looking for young carers to ensure that they are supported. Young carers can access breakout spaces and sensory rooms when they need a break from their classes. There is a “problems shared, problems halved” box where young carers can submit concerns to be discussed with co-ordinators. They also spend one afternoon a week together doing fun activities such as cooking and crafts, or sometimes just chatting and playing board games.
The theme of this year’s action day is, as we have heard, “give me a break”. The ability to take time out within the school day is important, as are the relationships built in young carers groups. Local young carers have said that
"my young carers group is kind and supportive and has helped me come a long way. I now feel less alone and mentally happier. I feel like I am coping better because I have met others who are also going through it."
Along with breaks in the school day, longer residential breaks are important, too, because having the time to switch off, to be themselves and to have fun is invaluable to young carers. Esther Keane, the young carers officer at Stirling Carers Centre, told me that, in schools, particularly high schools, young carer co-ordinators often no longer have dedicated time in their timetables to run support groups. Demand for residential breaks is high and there are often waiting lists. She pointed out that those incredible young people take on the responsibilities that are normally expected of adults. We must recognise the toll that that can take and ensure that support is in place, including through access to breaks.
Looking at Braehead primary school, we can clearly see the positive impacts of embedded access to breaks. Mrs Lawrie and Miss Light told me that
“the resources and spaces we have available allow our children to thrive in an environment where they might not necessarily have done before. We have children now approaching us to advocate for themselves and seek support that they think they need. Breaks, and relationships built during them, are vital.”
I call on the Government to set out how it will engage with local authorities and work to ensure that breaks, both within the school week and in the form of longer residentials, are widely available.
Lastly, I want to give a quick shout-out to Robert Cairney for all his work in the area. He, too, is in the gallery today.
13:02
It is a real privilege to take part in the debate, and I thank the member for lodging the motion. I, too, welcome all the people in the public gallery. They have brought the average age of this Parliament down dramatically in the past half an hour.
I will just make one negative point at the start: it is disappointing that not all parties are in the chamber for this debate. If we truly respect young carers, there should be total cross-party support.
I, along with other members, have had the privilege of attending the Scottish young carers festival on a number of occasions. For me, it has been interesting to listen to their experiences and hear what happens in their part of Scotland. It is important that we give people a break, whether it be through weekends away, a summer holiday or a pizza on a Tuesday night. However, we have to go further and recognise that school is often a difficult place for carers.
On my last visit to the carers festival, I was struck most by the different practices in different local authorities. There does not seem to be a co-ordinated approach to how children who care for another sibling, a parent or someone else in the family are treated. I appreciate that this goes beyond the minister’s portfolio, but I think that it would be helpful to get guidance on what should be in a school statement. Are we putting enough emphasis on this sort of thing in job applications? Young carers often do have empathy, compassion and resilience beyond their years, but it comes with challenges that are not often recognised by schools, employers or society in general.
I want to briefly reflect on two points from my personal experience. When people provide care or are being cared for, it has an effect on the whole family. Whether it be a sibling or a parent, the effect does not just stop with them. Having spoken to my siblings, I know that, because of the time that my parents had to give me, they sometimes felt short-changed or that they could not have the same experiences. They are fairly resilient and have come through that, but we must look at this in a holistic way and recognise that caring for somebody in a family affects the whole family.
Secondly, we must recognise the number of unpaid carers who are simply not recognised. It brings us back to the point made in the opening speech in the debate that we do not really know how many unpaid carers there are in Scotland. Indeed, I suspect that we will never find out that number.
This morning, at breakfast, I told my two daughters that I would be speaking in this debate and that I might mention them. When they asked, “Why are you mentioning us?”, I said, “Well, you go far beyond what your colleagues at school do, whether that’s helping me untie my laces, putting on my coat or doing other things.” They do not recognise themselves as young carers, and I suspect that there are lots of people in our communities who provide care but who perhaps do not appreciate what they are doing and are not looking for recognition.
Finally, I thank all young unpaid carers for what they do. Without them, our society would not function. We in the Parliament and across Scotland need to respect them, not just with words on a Thursday afternoon but with action that makes a difference for them.
13:07
It is a privilege to take part in this members’ business debate, and I extend my congratulations to Paul O’Kane for securing it. As other members have done, I welcome all the young people who are here or, as I know from a text that I have just received, are watching online, which is very worrying.
I would like to pick up on something that the previous contributor talked about—I thank Jeremy Balfour for giving a very personal insight into the experiences of those being cared for and those around them who are affected by that. The quote that is so often used is that
“being a young carer is not a choice; it’s just what we do”.
However, I think that it goes beyond that. They do it for the love of the individual whom they care for. That is an incredibly important emotion and article of faith to explain why our young carers do what they do. They do it because of love. They do not choose the situation that they are in but, in most cases—in my experience, certainly—they would not change the situation for anything. It is a very powerful part of their identity and their family’s identity.
I echo the point that a number of speakers have raised about the data, and I do so because I have a bizarre ask of the minister. I love finding the small and perhaps insignificant detail, which can be indicative of value. I am sure that the minister can take this on board and find a conclusion to it.
The Scottish Government recognises some 30,000 young carers but, as we have heard, it is believed that there are more than 100,000. The authority for the 30,000 figure is the “Embedding Children’s Rights in Scotland: Scottish Position Statement”, which was published on 18 November 2022. I have no problem with that. However, it was fascinating that, when I tried to find the original authority for the 30,000 figure—as many young people know, we must reference facts—I found that, interestingly, the Government referred to section 16(4) of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000. I am not sure why the issue relates to corporal punishment and when physical intervention can protect a child. That is an interesting example.
That is slightly mirthful, but my serious position is that we need to find the authority for that number of 30,000, because it is clearly far lower than the number in reality. The previous speaker talked about people who do not identify themselves as carers. The number of carers who are identified in our school system is pitifully low, and yet those young people have to face up to enormous experiences.
I also want to mention the young carers covenant and to remind colleagues, friends and others that they can sign up to the covenant and commit to go beyond words on a Thursday and take action. The covenant aims to ensure that young carers
“Are identified at the earliest opportunity ... Can access and succeed in employment/training opportunities ... Are safe and secure ... Feel that they have choice in their lives ... Can access and benefit from the rights they have ... Are able to thrive in education”
and
“Have time for themselves”,
which relates to the “geezabreak” theme. The covenant also aims to ensure that young carers
“Can access support for them and their families ... Have good physical and mental health”
and
“Live free from poverty”.
Those ideals are important to everyone in Scotland. Showing support for that covenant for our young carers is a heroic first step forward that we can carry on into action beyond words here on a Thursday.
13:11
I pay tribute to Carers Trust for bringing so many young people to the Parliament today. It makes a difference; this is not just a series of speeches. We take the issues away with us and such debates have an impact on the policies that we develop for our parties and on the scrutiny through which we hold the Government to account.
I pay tribute to Paul O’Kane for leading the debate and, in advance of the minister’s final contribution, I give credit to her for the work that she has done in the area. I hope that it encourages her to give an even more positive response in her conclusion.
I have a memory of going to the Broomlee centre, when the Scottish young carers festival was held there. There was face painting, and Christine Grahame, who had come along with me that day, decided that, of all the things to give me, she would paint a black eye on my face, which I carried for the rest of the day. I am sure that that reflected a more permanent physical feature that she would like to put on my face—nevertheless, it was a joyful day and we had great fun.
There are two sides to the personal impact on young people. Jeremy Balfour made the point that young carers grow up quickly and talked about the skills that they gather, the empathy that they develop, the resilience that they have and the multitasking ability that they develop. Those things are a huge upside to what is a very challenging set of circumstances, and they will see the young people well for the rest of their lives, for future job opportunities and for education.
Young carers are under a lot of pressure: I cannot imagine the pressures of growing up, which itself is difficult, but with that extra responsibility. As Martin Whitfield rightly says, young carers do it for the sake of love. Nevertheless, it is quite a sacrifice to make, which is why the Government needs to take extra steps to ensure that we provide the infrastructure and make support available to them. That is why I support all the measures that have been set out today, including on breaks.
We also need to develop understanding across all public services—not just the education system, but every part of our public services. In fact, all of us need to fully understand what it means to be a carer and what we can do to help. We need to have that understanding, as well as making services and extra support available.
My final remark is that this matter is quite personal to the Liberal Democrats. Many will have seen the story about Ed Davey, my party leader, caring for his young son, John, who has been disabled from birth. It is a moving story, and it clearly involves deep feelings. Ed Davey has made it a personal mission to try to change the system on behalf of all carers, whether they are older or young carers. My colleague in North East Fife, Wendy Chamberlain, managed to deliver the Carer’s Leave Act 2023, which entitles workers to leave from work to look after their loved ones.
Those are two small measures, but they are important steps that we all need to engage in to make life a little bit better for those who care for those we love.
13:14
It is a privilege to be here to mark young carers action day, which recognises and celebrates the incredible contributions of young carers across Scotland. This afternoon’s debate is an opportunity to shine a light on the experiences of young carers, who balance their lives with the immense responsibility of caring for a loved one. I thank Paul O’Kane for securing the debate.
Too often, young carers’ dedication goes unnoticed. Many young carers are juggling their education, their social life, their caring responsibilities and their own wellbeing. Their strength and resilience are inspiring, but we must recognise that they cannot do this alone. Together, we can ensure that the tens of thousands of young carers across Scotland have all the support that they need.
This year’s theme, “give me a break”, is a crucial reminder that young carers deserve time to rest, recharge and simply be young. However, it is challenging for them to balance their responsibilities. Caring for someone can be rewarding, but it can also be physically and emotionally demanding. Many young carers sacrifice their time, their education and their social lives to support family members.
That is why I am pleased that the Government has committed an extra £5 million in the 2025-26 budget to help unpaid carers to take short breaks. That essential funding will offer young carers a chance to step away from their responsibilities and focus on their own wellbeing, which is to their benefit and that of the relatives for whom they care.
The need for such breaks is clear. Carers Trust Scotland found that 52 per cent of young carers felt stressed and that 47 per cent found it difficult to attend classes because of their caring role. Without the right support, too many young carers risk burnout, which puts their education and aspirations in jeopardy. Many are already exhausted from a morning of caring duties when they arrive at school, or they might have to leave school early, which results in them missing out on their lessons. Over time, that can impact on their grades and their confidence.
That is why we must do more to ensure that every young carer gets the support that they need to enable them to stay in school, achieve their goals and thrive. Flexible learning arrangements or additional time to complete assignments can make a real difference. It is essential that we ensure that staff are equipped to recognise and understand the pressures that young carers are under and that they are able to offer tailored support, whether through counselling or mentoring, or simply by taking an understanding approach.
No young person should have to choose between caring for a loved one and securing their own future. By removing the barriers, we can ensure that they have every opportunity to achieve their potential.
Although it is clear that there is still work to be done to improve support for young carers, we can be proud of some of the efforts that the Scottish Government has made. The young carer grant is a unique payment that is available only in Scotland. That financial support helps young carers aged 16 to 18 to manage the pressures that they face, but it is reported that up to 25 per cent of eligible young carers have not applied for it. I urge the Scottish Government to ensure that all young carers are made aware of that support, to which they are entitled.
Today, on young carers action day, let us do more than simply celebrate our country’s young carers and the sacrifices that they make. Let us commit to act to give them the real break that they all deserve, and let us ensure that they are supported to balance their education and their caring responsibilities.
To the young carers who join us in the public gallery and every young carer out there, I say thank you for what you do. Your hard work and dedication inspire me and my colleagues. Let us work together to ensure that you get the support, the recognition and the breaks that you deserve.
13:18
It is a privilege to speak in this debate, and I thank my colleague Paul O’Kane for bringing it to the chamber. I have to say that we are not used to speaking in the chamber when the gallery is so full, especially when there are young people up there saying things like, “Come on—impress me then, big man.” That is not usually what we do.
The Scottish Government has estimated that there are at least 30,000 young carers under the age of 18 in Scotland, although it is thought that that is an underrepresentation. As Jeremy Balfour eloquently put it, many young carers do not realise that they are young carers, and studies have indicated that there could be as many as 100,000 young carers in Scotland.
The theme of this year’s young carers action day is “give me a break”—or in Scottish parlance, “geezabreak”. Survey data in Scotland has consistently shown that only 3 or 4 per cent of carers are having a break. From my conversations with Carers Trust and the coalition of carers in Scotland, I know that breaks look different for each individual. Sometimes, breaks can involve simply having the chance to do everyday activities that people who are not carers take for granted, such as doing the shopping or attending a hospital appointment, having a coffee with a friend or even participating in everyday activities or interacting with friends.
We also know that young carers face barriers in accessing support and that those in rural areas, in particular, face challenges in accessing their right to a break because of the lack of available support and the right options for them.
For the past 18 years, Carers Trust has organised the Scottish young carers festival, which allows young carers to have a break away. That festival is a highlight of my year, as it is for many of my colleagues in the chamber. As MSPs, we have days that are better than others, and that day is one of the best. We get the opportunity to watch the young carers in carefree abandonment, doing things like strapping old men into harnesses and pushing them down zip lines in the hope of making them squeal. On top of that, we get the opportunity to sit around a table with young carers while they express their views to us, question us and tell us what their lives are like and how we, in this chamber, can make their lives better. I always hear about things that I would never imagine. For example, I hear about the potential barriers for carers at school, including—potentially—a lack of understanding among teachers. We need to ensure that all teachers are properly aligned with, and understand, the needs of carers, including why homework is sometimes late and why pupils may sometimes come into school tired and unable to give their best work.
Breaks such as the young carers festival play an important role in the preventative health agenda by allowing carers time away to help them to manage their stress and cope better. There is mounting evidence that caring is a social determinant of health and contributes to health inequalities. For example, we know that 91 per cent of young carers experience a detrimental impact on their mental health and emotional wellbeing as a result of their caring role.
I had so much to say, Deputy Presiding Officer, but I realise that time is short. However, I will highlight that there is now an opportunity to correct the situation, as legislation is currently passing through Parliament and is at stage 3. I believe that measures could have been brought forward in secondary legislation before now, but we are where we are. It is incumbent on us, in this place, to give that bill all the support that we can. We must continue to recognise the huge contribution that young carers make, to support them and their families and to ensure that they get all the help that they possibly can.
13:23
I, too, thank all the young carers in the public gallery. It is a delight to have them with us today. I give a special shout-out to the South Ayrshire young carers I met outside. They were really kind to spend some time with me—it was much appreciated.
I thank my colleague Paul O’Kane for bringing the debate to the chamber. It is absolutely right that we make time in this place to discuss such an important issue. Paul O’Kane has been a champion for carers in the current session of Parliament, bringing the issue to the chamber and working cross-party and outwith the Parliament in the way that other members, including Willie Rennie, have spoken about, as well as working with many organisations and charities to raise the voices of carers and ensure that we see lasting change. Again, I thank Paul O’Kane for giving us the opportunity to talk specifically about young carers today.
Other members have mentioned the data and statistics, so I will not go over those again. I simply highlight that, with more than 30,000 young carers under the age of 18, it is incumbent on us to support them. I thank Carers Trust for the work that it does in gathering all the information. As others have said, it is important that we have that information, to ensure that we understand the issues, and that we use it to guide us on the solutions that we need in order to provide adequate support to all our invaluable carers, particularly our young carers.
The debate is in response to young carers action day, and I commend young carers for the contribution that they make to our society when they are caring for their loved ones. As we know, young carers often do not recognise themselves as carers, and many do not think twice about what they do. We owe them a great deal of gratitude.
Dumfries and Galloway Carers Centre, in my region, wrote to me to ask for my support for young carers action day 2025, which I am delighted to give. The theme, “geezabreak”, focuses on the importance of providing breaks and respite for young carers and, as others have said, the need for schools and employers to better support them in school and work.
From previous debates and my meetings with young carers, I am aware that the reality for many young carers in Scotland is that caring responsibilities can dominate their lives. Young carers often do not realise that and continue without support. Sara Jackson, the young carers manager at the Dumfries and Galloway Carers Centre, works directly with young carers and explained in correspondence with me that the damaging impact of a lack of support and burnout means that many young carers are often at breaking point and their reality can be quite difficult. What stood out for me in her correspondence was the suggestion that, although young people need a break through getting straightforward respite from their caring responsibilities, they also need a break in that they must be given equal opportunities to thrive, as others have touched on. That is why Carers Trust Scotland is urging schools, trusts, colleges and universities to step up. It would be great to hear about that from other members, as well as getting a commitment from the minister to work across Government on that.
As politicians, it is our responsibility to work together to ensure that that happens, so that young carers feel confident in the support that is available to them and their loved ones. I commit to doing that. I hope that the debate spurs us all on to do more together in response to the needs of our young carers in Scotland. It is incumbent on us to do that.
I thank everyone who has spoken or is about to speak in the debate.
Before I call the next speaker, I advise members that, due to the number of members who wish to speak in the debate, I am minded to accept a motion without notice, under rule 8.14.3 of standing orders, to extend the debate by up to 30 minutes. I invite Paul O’Kane to move such a motion.
Motion moved,
That, under Rule 8.14.3, the debate be extended by up to 30 minutes.—[Paul O’Kane]
Motion agreed to.
13:27
I thank Paul O’Kane, my colleague on the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, for securing this important debate. I know that the subject is close to his heart and that he is passionate about promoting the voices of young carers in the Parliament. I extend a very warm welcome to the young carers who have joined us in the gallery. It is truly an honour for us to have them here.
It was a privilege for me to secure the debate on young carers action day last year, as my colleague Evelyn Tweed noted. I was prompted to do so by young carers in my constituency, and their courage, resilience and determination have left a lasting impression on me. It is because of them and the thousands of young carers across Scotland that we are here again today, ensuring that their voices are heard.
Jeremy Balfour spoke about his lived experience at home, which prompted me to score out some of the lines in my speech and to speak from the heart. I have children with additional support needs. As my other children grew up, they had to support them and me in the home. Often, we wonder what it is like to be a carer. If we were to ask someone what that looks like, we might imagine a carer physically helping someone by feeding them, changing them and caring for them, but, a lot of the time, caring might not be like that at all.
A young carer or sibling carer might need to quickly vacuum the living room after some kind of messy explosion while the parent nips out to clean up and fix up the child who has the additional support needs. Sometimes, the sibling might need to run to grab a pair of socks, because the child needs to be dressed, or to do other wee errands around the house.
We do not often acknowledge that that is what caring can be or look like. A young carer might have to stay up through the night, because their sibling is restless and making noise, and then go to school very tired. They might have to miss out on days out and trips, because their sibling has additional needs, but still find patience and kindness at home. It can mean that their parents’ time is shared unevenly. Being a carer, specifically a young carer, means a lot.
This year’s young carers action day theme—“give me a break” or “geezabreak”—could not be more fitting. It highlights two critical areas of support that young carers desperately need: time for themselves to rest and greater understanding and flexibility from schools, colleges, universities and workplaces.
I am here today in the chamber because the young carers who supported me in caring for their siblings when they were growing up are now, as adults, keeping things ticking over at home. Young carers do not stop caring; they grow into adult carers. That is what usually happens. It is up to all of us to ensure that their voices are heard.
Young carers in my constituency hold me to account. This week, one emailed me to make sure that I was doing something for young carers action day. I say to my constituent: I am here and I am keeping your voice going. I say to the young carers in the gallery and to those who could not be here today: we see you, we value you and we recognise everything that you do. What you do matters more than you will ever know.
13:32
I am pleased to speak in this debate on young carers action day 2025, and I congratulate Paul O’Kane on securing it.
The reason why I want to speak in this debate is that, on Tuesday, I received an email from a young adult carer development worker at Falkirk and Clackmannanshire carers centre. The centre sent through a letter from young adult carers in Falkirk and Clackmannanshire to make sure that we, as MSPs, raise the point of the action day in relation to “geezabreak” and that we address the need for universities, colleges and employers to provide better support in education and work for young carers. Those points have been raised throughout the debate by Martin Whitfield, Jeremy Balfour and other members.
Young adult carers’ caring responsibilities mean that they do not always have time to see their friends, enjoy hobbies or focus on education or work. Their minds are usually elsewhere—on their families and on the people they care for—because that is what they feel is important and they want to make sure that they provide the best possible care to the people they love so much.
However, because young carers are thinking about the people they care for, it can be hard for them to take a break or a moment to enjoy whatever it is that they want to do. It is important that we raise these issues in the chamber today to ensure that their voices are heard and that the Parliament and the Scottish Government continue to improve the lives of young carers right across Scotland.
Paul O’Kane raised an important point about the need for accurate data so that we have know the number of young carers. I hope that the minister will address that point in her summing-up speech.
Many members reflected on their attendance at the young carers festival, which I visited back in 2023. It was a fantastic day. I remember the photo booth, the inflatable bouncy castles—I was really disappointed that I did not get a shot on them—the activities, the sports and the hair and make-up. The queue for the hair and make-up went on for miles, but I can understand why that was so popular, particularly among the young girls and women who were there.
When we sat down to speak to the young carers, they rightly challenged us on what more we, as parliamentarians, could be doing to improve their lives. They then told me that they were off to a disco, which shows how good those festivals are. However, it also stresses the importance of the theme of young carers action day, which is “geezabreak”, because that was an occasion when young carers were able to enjoy a break, which is so important.
I reiterate how MSPs can show their support, particularly this week, given that young carers action day was yesterday. We can share information and content on social media using the hashtags #youngcarersactionday, #ycad2025 and #geezabreak.
As Martin Whitfield highlighted, we can sign up to the young carers covenant, which is a commitment to support outcomes that will improve the lives of young adult carers.
We can also speak to our councillor colleagues and ask them to lodge motions to make sure that our councils are going as far as they can to ensure that our young carers are supported across all our local authority areas.
I wish all our young carers in the gallery a very happy and successful young carers action day. I reiterate the words of Karen Adam: we appreciate you more than you will ever know.
13:36
I thank Paul O’Kane for initiating this really important debate regarding young carers action day, and I thank all the members for being here to discuss young carers and the absolutely vital contribution that they make to society.
I value young carers action day because it not only puts a spotlight on the important issues that young carers face but allows us to hear directly from them. I am so delighted that more than 150 young carers are here in the Parliament today. It was an absolute pleasure to chat with many of them outside at the photo opportunity this morning. I am really pleased that they are speaking about what they need from us as decision makers, and that they are listening and learning about how they can create change.
On the point that Mr Balfour raised, I know that my colleague Gillian Mackay from the Green Party will be very well known to many people in the carer community. She will undoubtedly be very sorry that she is unable to attend the Parliament today because of unexpected personal circumstances.
I am absolutely delighted that the Parliament has been given the opportunity to acknowledge the positive role that young carers play in their families and in our society. However, it is important that we also take time to reflect on some of the pressures that they face.
This year’s young carers action day theme is “geezabreak”—that is my very best Scots, which is not bad for a Highlander. The contributions of young carers in Scotland are absolutely vital and are deeply appreciated, so it is really important that they receive the support that they need to take a break from their caring role, and it is equally important that they feel supported to pursue their educational and work aspirations.
Like many members in the chamber, I have been honoured to hear at first hand from young carers, this morning and at last year’s Scottish young carers festival, just how important rest and respite are for them—not only for their wellbeing, but to enable them to be children, first and foremost.
In a similar debate marking last year’s young carers action day, I welcomed the launch of Carers Trust’s young carers covenant. At that time, I committed to engaging with my ministerial colleagues about the possibility of the Scottish Government signing up to it. Over the past year, consideration has been given to making that commitment in order to understand what it would mean for the wide range of policies across Government that are relevant to young carers. I am absolutely delighted to confirm today that the Scottish Government will be formally committing to the young carers covenant and the 10 outcomes that are contained within it. Doing that will make us the first Government in the UK to do so, and we hope that it will serve as an example to other organisations to do the same.
The outcomes within the covenant align with our policies and actions, including those in our national carers strategy. Work is already under way in many areas, including those that are linked to this year’s young carers action day’s theme and to the motion. Those outcomes are that young carers have time for themselves, are able to thrive in education and can access and succeed in employment or training opportunities.
I am grateful for this opportunity to mention some of the work that we are undertaking to achieve those outcomes and to support young carers. The Scottish Government recognises the demand on young carers and is working to support their access to breaks, hobbies and opportunities for time for themselves. I have been very grateful for the cross-party support for our proposed legislation to establish a right to breaks for carers in what is now the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill. I will not split hairs with my colleague Brian Whittle, but primary legislation is absolutely necessary to give carers that right, rather than just to fund their breaks.
Ahead of that legislation, we are increasing the voluntary sector short breaks funding in 2025-26 by a further £5 million, to a total of £13 million. That is expected to support up to 15,000 additional people, including young carers, in taking short breaks away from their caring responsibilities. As part of that, we are increasing funding for the Young Scot young carers package to £400,000 in 2025-26. That means that the package can provide more opportunities for more young carers to access some form of respite and to enjoy time with family and friends. I absolutely echo my colleague Colin Beattie’s point: we need more young people to be aware of that package, and if the uptake was 100 per cent, that would be great.
Alongside those measures, we continue to fund the annual Scottish young carers festival. It is an amazing and important event to help young carers to have a break, to pursue new opportunities and to have fun.
All those initiatives are highlighted in our national carers strategy. Now into its third year of implementation, the strategy sets out our approach to addressing issues facing carers, and our long-term vision for building a sustainable future for young carers. We recognise in the strategy that young carers’ education and their future prospects are incredibly important. That is why we fully fund an education officer at Carers Trust Scotland and will continue to work with education colleagues to ensure that young carers are seen and supported in school.
Through that collaborative work, the Scottish Government, Carers Trust Scotland and Education Scotland produce an e-learning module for all education staff to help them to better understand how they can identify and support young carers. The module is fully accredited by Education Scotland. I would be more than happy to write to the member with more details of what we are doing to support the outcome of that collaboration.
It would be remiss of me not to mention school nurses, because they play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of school-age children and families in our communities. We have completely transformed their role over the past few years to address health needs in school-age children at an early stage. Their work centres around 10 priority areas, one of which is young carers.
We have been working with Skills Development Scotland and employers on projects such as carer positive to ensure that, when young carers are ready to join the world of work, there continues to be flexibility and support for them.
All the work that I have just mentioned has been guided by young carers telling us what they need. That is why it is so important that they are here in the Parliament today, making sure that their voices are heard. We will continue to listen to young carers in shaping our work.
On the issue of data, the carer population surveys, including for young carers, are published annually, based on the Scottish health survey. Those data are based on about four years of survey results—I am sorry: they are based on four years of results, not “about four years”, so I had better be accurate when we are talking about data—to improve accuracy. The results rely on people recognising themselves as carers, which is amplified for young carers, because the surveys are completed by adults. We are including questions on caring in the schools health and wellbeing census, and we are working to raise awareness among teachers of the importance of noting whether a student is a young carer in the SEEMiS Group’s survey.
One of the big contributors to the underestimate in the data is the fact that many of our young people do not identify as carers. As was quoted by Martin Whitfield, they say that
“it’s just what we do.”
I also love that Martin Whitfield mentioned love, as it is very appropriate for today’s debate. I am grateful that he highlighted that people care with love.
In closing, I acknowledge members’ powerful contributions. Some spoke directly for their constituents and some brought caring to life by reflecting on their own experiences.
Most important is that I acknowledge the huge contribution that is made by young carers right across Scotland. I reiterate the Scottish Government’s commitment to doing what we can to make sure that young carers have access to the support that they deserve when they need it.
13:45 Meeting suspended.Air ais
First Minister’s Question TimeAir adhart
Portfolio Question Time