FOI Request - Young Carers

Request 101004011655

1. How many requests for carers needs assessments where the carer is 18 years of age or younger has the council received since 1 Jan 2021? Please provide a total number as well as a breakdown by age. If a breakdown by age cannot be provided, please provide a breakdown by age group.

2. How many young carer statements (YCS) has the council issued to young carers (i.e. unpaid carers 18 years of age or younger) since 1 Jan 2021? Please provide a total number as well as a breakdown by age. If a breakdown by age cannot be provided, please provide a breakdown by age group.

3. How much did the council spend, if anything, in the last fiscal year on support programs for young carers (i.e. unpaid carers 18 years of age or younger)?

4. Does the council have any specific supports in place for carers 8 years of age or younger? If so, what are they and how much money was spent on them in the last fiscal year?

5. Does the council have an age range for how it defines young carers?

Response 06-07-2026

1. Between 14 February 2023 and 10 January 2025, there were 108 Young Carer Statements (Part 1) completed by Quarriers; from these there were 25 referrals where unmet need was identified.
• Information from Care First should provide information on any referrals before February 2023 and give us a breakdown of age for all referrals.  

Ages of those with Unmet Need (25 Referrals)  

Ages 7-9: 7

Ages 10-13: 10 

Ages 14-16: 6

2. Between 27 June 2022 and 5 February 2026, 108 Young Carer Statements were completed by the carers support service, Quarriers.
• Between February 2025 and March 2026, there were 13 referrals from the carers support service to Moray Council for completion of Young Carer Statements.
• Total completion to date 110
• Care First should provide more detailed information on referrals since January 2021 and a full breakdown of age groups

3. The estimated spend for the Young Carers Support Service in the last fiscal year is approximately £110,000.This reflects the delivery of a range of supports for young carers across Moray, including targeted support for younger carers, although funding is not always disaggregated by age group

4. This service would be provided by the Carers Support Service – Quarriers.

5. Yes. Moray Council defines a young carer as anyone under 18, or 18 and still at school. This is the age range used across Moray for identifying young carers and for offering Young Carer Statements (YCS).

• Moray Council offers Young Carer Statements to all identified young carers, and these are age appropriate:
- Primary-aged children receive a primary level Young Carer Statement.
- Secondary-aged young people receive a secondary level Young Carer Statement.
This aligns with the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 requirement that every young carer be offered a YCS, and Moray Council implements this through GIRFEC with documents tailored to developmental stage.
• Support is based on the young carer’s age at the point of referral and is tailored to their age and stage of development at that time.