Draft Adult Carer Strategy

What you told us

Aberdeenshire Health & Social Care Partnership (AHSCP) consulted on its updated Draft Adult Carer Strategy, which was first published in 2018. The updated draft Adult Carer Strategy aims to set out objectives for supporting adult carers in Aberdeenshire over the next five years.

We invited feedback on the Strategy, including priorities and actions identified from engagement with adult carers and people supporting adult carers in 2024. We conducted an online survey on Engage Aberdeenshire, with paper copies available on request from Aberdeenshire Council Libraries and Service Points. Surveys were shared widely via social media, the Aberdeenshire Carer Support Service (VSA) and our network of other services supporting adult carers within AHSCP and local communities. The consultation survey was open from 8th July to 1st September 2025, and asked adult carers and those supporting them for their views on the following:

How clear the draft strategy explained issues carers may face, with the option to add additional comments
Were the right priorities being committed to in the strategy, with suggested Priorities of: Carer Identification; Carer Support; Carer Involvement in Hospital Discharge; Carer Breaks; Valuing and Respecting Carers. Each priority question gave the option to add additional comments
Any other comments on the draft Aberdeenshire Adult Carer Strategy

Who responded

A total 144 survey responses were received, 123 of which were from adult carers or former carers. Responses were also received from Health & Social Care Teams (8), Professionals (7), Organisations (2), Groups (1) and Others (8). A small number of respondents (5) gave multiple answers, for example unpaid carer and professional. Responses were received from across north, central and south Aberdeenshire, 79% of responses were female carers and the majority of carers were aged between 45 and 64 (57%).

How clear the draft strategy explained issues carers may face

The majority of respondents indicated the draft strategy was either somewhat clear (45%) or very clear (27%) in explaining the issues carers may face, followed by neutral (15%), not clear (8%) and very unclear (5%). 68 additional comments were provided and included the following themes:

A wide range of carer experiences, including mental, physical and financial challenges such as having to give up employment to provide care
Concerns around limited resources, reductions in services and budgets, and limited access to breaks and respite
Readability of the strategy: some found it clear and comprehensive, and appreciated both the full and summary versions; others described it as lengthy, repetitive, overly professional in tone and lacking clarity on targets and timescales
Additional challenges for minority ethnic carers and carers supporting individuals with severe mental health needs

“I think the strain and burden that carers face is recognised within the strategy but the challenges that carers face cannot be underestimated.”

“It's all very well reporting on the issues we face but what we want is action not words.”

Are we committing to the right priorities for adult carers in Aberdeenshire?

Priority 1 - Carer Identification

43% of respondents agreed the right actions were being taken to identify carers. 34% were not sure and 23% did not agree. 69 additional comments were provided and included the following themes:

The need for more training for professionals to help them identify and support carers with a focus on GPs, health staff and social care workers
Improve carer identification in the community and awareness of support available, with posters in GP surgeries, community notice boards and public places
Some carers do not recognise themselves as carers, particularly older spouses. Some only realise their caring role after prompted by peers who signpost them to support
Barriers to identification include digital exclusion, particularly among older generations, and cultural factors affecting recognition
Reduce the stigma of identifying as a carer
Acknowledge a broader range of caring roles

“Not enough information out in the public domain.”

“The difficulty is that carers don’t always recognise the role that they are in so don’t identify themselves as a carer. Perhaps this role needs to be spoken about more by health professionals”

Priority 2 - Carer Support

42% of respondents agreed the right actions were being taken to continuously develop carer support services available to carers. However, 30% did not agree and 28% were not sure. 73 additional comments were provided and included the following themes:

The need for increased peer or community support
Improve awareness of support and availability of information
Funding and budget concerns, limited access to respite and breaks for carers
Carer Support Service received positive feedback although some concerns were raised around waiting times and communications
Improve access to training to support carers in their caring role
Improve emotional and mental health support
Practical barriers such as location, transport and digital exclusion
Establish a Carers Forum, link with those with Lived Experience

“I do feel that a lot of the time I am missed. I am not a young carer or care for an older person. There seems more visible activities available for those group”

“Peer support is a lifeline, offering the opportunity to meet with others facing similar experiences and as such, there must be opportunities available at different times of day to suit individual needs.”

“Great support & understanding from carer advisor has made an amazing difference in our family life.”

Priority 3 - Carer Involvement In Hospital Discharge

44% of respondents were not sure if the right actions were being taken to support carers to be involved in hospital discharge of the cared for person, whilst 38% agreed and 18% did not agree. 53 additional comments were provided and included the following themes:

Lack of carer involvement in discharge planning, despite legal right to do so, highlighting a need for better communication and promotion
Earlier identification required of the carer in the hospital journey
Recognise carers as equal partners in care, with their valuable knowledge of the cared-for person’s needs
Carers input sometimes overlooked or felt undervalued, with hospital staff not fully engaged in involving the carer in a timely meaningful way
Poor communication around discharge
Limited support after discharge
Positive experiences from a small number of carers, where hospital staff involved them in discharge planning and some professionals shared good practice examples, including prompt referral to the Carer Support Service

“It is always important to involve carers here as they know the cared for person best.”

“Respectful communication and legal inclusion under the Carers Act are essential to improving outcomes and reducing stress “

Priority 4 - Carer Breaks

43% respondents agreed the right actions were being taken to support carers to access breaks, however 34% disagreed and 23% were not sure. 86 additional comments were provided and included the following themes:

Lack of respite services, being either unavailable, reduced, or difficult to access. Comments included closed respite centres, long waiting lists and limited options for cared-for individuals with complex needs
Funding and financial concerns or insufficient funding for breaks, reduced budgets and financial barriers to access breaks
Feeling unsupported, with some carers having never received help to access breaks or unsure where to seek assistance
Improve awareness of available breaks
Additional challenges for rural carers and those without access to transport
Emotional barriers, with some carers expressing guilt taking breaks or the emotional stress making it difficult to step away from caring
Positive feedback, a smaller number of responses highlighted helpful support from organisations or individuals, as well as Self-directed Support (SDS) for the carer

“Respite has been taken away. No help whatsoever unless you know who to ask and where to go for help.”

“No idea there was any help available.”

“I feel guilty if I go away and not sure how to deal with this feeling.”

Priority 5 - Valuing and Recognising Carers

39% of respondents agreed the right actions are being taken to ensure carers feel valued and recognised, closely followed by 35% who disagreed and 26% who were unsure. 73 additional comments were provided and included the following themes:

Carers felt unseen, undervalued and unrecognised in their caring role
Actions are required not just words, to show carers they are valued. Involve carers in planning and decision-making, as well as opportunities to provide regular feedback
Improve communications and information for carers
Improve carer recognition in health and social care services, employers and wider public
Positive experiences by a smaller number of carers, particularly when support is personalised and responsive to their needs

“Forums were great for helping carers feel heard & valued.”

“We are unseen and unvalued.”

“Carer Advisor (VSA) came out & she could not have been nicer or more helpful.”

Involved in Planning and Shaping Carer Support

37% of respondents agreed the right actions are being taken to support carers to be involved in planning and shaping carer support across Aberdeenshire. However, 35% were not sure and 28% did not agree. 58 additional comments were provided and included the following themes:

Carers felt excluded from planning and decision-making
Genuinely involve carers, some felt only consulted for feedback after decisions already made
Establish a regular carer focus group, link with people with lived experience
Improve inclusion in planning and shaping services, such as older carers, rural carers, minority ethnic carers and carers of adults with complex needs
Improve communications to carers

“Carers need to be involved in planning and shaping support in Aberdeenshire.”

“Ensuring rural communities are aware of your services is important. There is a lack of care provision in rural areas so unpaid carers often through no choice have a bigger role to keep loved ones at home. Once identified, focus groups could be set up in local community areas or surgeries to gain views and help share the support they need.”

Other comments on the draft strategy

46 additional comments were provided regarding the draft Aberdeenshire Carer Strategy and included the following themes:

Lack of practical support, limited respite and breaks, concerns around funding and reduced services
Carer Wellbeing, some carers felt exhausted, overwhelmed and at breaking point
Strategy requires clear actions for delivery
Greater focus on equalities for carers with protected characteristics

“Carers play a vital role and deserve as much support as is possible as many do not speak up as they are overwhelmed so they would need encouragement and time to come forward”

“The Strategy is good - it's the actions on how it's achieved that matter.”

What we're doing

Consultation on the draft Aberdeenshire Adult Carer Strategy provided a wealth of carer experiences. While we may not be able to implement every suggestion due to financial or practical constraints, we want to acknowledge and thank you for raising these important points, which have been carefully considered as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting carers. Feedback is being used to develop the final version of the Strategy and Delivery Plan, which will go to the Integrated Joint Board (IJB) in January 2026. Following IJB approval, the final Strategy will be launched and made available on Local carer strategies - Aberdeenshire Council and shared widely with our networks.

You can view the original consultation here: Adult Carers | Engage Aberdeenshire