That the Parliament acknowledges the Scottish Young Carers Services Alliance showcase conference, taking place online on 25 March 2021; notes the extensive survey work by young carers' services, which estimates that there are at least 100,000 children and young people in Scotland who have unpaid caring responsibilities; recognises the immense contribution young carers make by providing unpaid care to a family member or friend with an illness, disability, mental illness and/or addiction problems, who could not cope without their support; understands that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted young people with caring responsibilities, including on their education and health and wellbeing; recognises that recent Carers Trust Scotland research found that 74% of young carers, and 73% of young adult carers, are feeling less connected to others since the COVID-19 pandemic began; notes that children and young people are not always recognised by education and health and social care professionals as undertaking a caring role; believes that mandatory and continued professional development training could improve awareness of young carers needs so professionals are better able to identify and support them; further recognises that young carers can greatly benefit from dedicated young carer support services, and believes that young carers should be identified and provided with appropriate services so that they can reach their full potential and have a life alongside caring.
Supported by:
Miles Briggs, Jackson Carlaw, Peter Chapman, Rhoda Grant, Liam Kerr, Gordon Lindhurst, Mark McDonald, Margaret Mitchell, Alexander Stewart, Annie Wells