This guidance is for anyone who cares for a friend or family member who, due to a lifelong condition, illness, disability, serious injury, a mental health condition or an addiction, cannot cope without their support.

It provides information about support available to you during this time.

Key points

You should ensure that you:

• follow coronavirus public health advice on how to protect yourself and others from infection
• talk to family and friends about who could take over your caring role if you become ill or need to self-isolate (if you do not already have an emergency plan in place) – particularly as social work services are under increased pressure due to the coronavirus outbreak
• have key information about the person you care for easily available so that anyone taking over their care has all the information they need

If you are unable to provide essential care for someone and family and friends are unable to help, you should contact your local social work department.

Local carer centres and young carer services

In reaction to the coronavirus outbreak, local carer centres and young carer services have had to make adjustments to the way they carry out their activities. This has had an impact on their support they can offer.

Although unable to provide face to face support, most are offering alternative forms of support online or over the phone. You may be able to find the information you are looking for on their website.

Find details of your local carer centre at Care Information Scotland’s website.

Full details here