Written Question · S7W-04212 · Session 7
What assessment it has made of the availability of respite and short break services for people with learning disabilities and their unpaid …
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the availability of respite and short break services for people with learning disabilities and their unpaid carers.
The answer
Scottish Government previously undertook a survey of day and respite services, last published in June 2025 Day and respite services survey 2024: results
- gov.scot , which noted 223 services for learning disabled people to be in operation.In addition, Public Health Scotland published Care home census for adults in Scotland
- Statistics for 2012 – 2022
- Care home census for adults in Scotland
- Publications
- Public Health Scotland 10 year statistics (2012-2022) of the Care Home Census for Adults in Scotland. This include figures for short stays or respite, for learning disabled people. On 31 March 2022, the estimated percentage of residents aged under 65 years in care homes for learning disabilities on a short break or respite stay was 11%[1], although this must reflect the fact that care home respite had dropped by 71%[2], likely in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, these figures only capture responses to the survey and while all care homes are invited to participate, it is not mandatory, nor does it capture other forms of respite allocation. Of the 1,051 care homes open on 31 March 2022, 737 (70%) submitted data for at least part of the Census.Local authorities have existing responsibilities to promote a variety of short breaks in their areas. Under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016, authorities are also required to produce and publish Short Breaks Services Statements to help inform carers and cared-for people in their area about available break opportunities. Further information on these responsibilities is available in the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016: statutory guidance at paragraphs 3.2.75
- 3.2.77 and 6.2.1
- 6.2.21. https://www.gov.scot/publications/carers-scotland-act-2016-statutory-guidance-updated-july-2021/pages/1/.[1]Care Home Census for Adults in Scotland, page 38, Figure 24[2]Care Home Census for Adults in Scotland, page 21, Table 1
- gov.scot , which noted 223 services for learning disabled people to be in operation.In addition, Public Health Scotland published Care home census for adults in Scotland
- Statistics for 2012 – 2022
- Care home census for adults in Scotland
- Publications
- Public Health Scotland 10 year statistics (2012-2022) of the Care Home Census for Adults in Scotland. This include figures for short stays or respite, for learning disabled people. On 31 March 2022, the estimated percentage of residents aged under 65 years in care homes for learning disabilities on a short break or respite stay was 11%[1], although this must reflect the fact that care home respite had dropped by 71%[2], likely in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, these figures only capture responses to the survey and while all care homes are invited to participate, it is not mandatory, nor does it capture other forms of respite allocation. Of the 1,051 care homes open on 31 March 2022, 737 (70%) submitted data for at least part of the Census.Local authorities have existing responsibilities to promote a variety of short breaks in their areas. Under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016, authorities are also required to produce and publish Short Breaks Services Statements to help inform carers and cared-for people in their area about available break opportunities. Further information on these responsibilities is available in the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016: statutory guidance at paragraphs 3.2.75
- 3.2.77 and 6.2.1
- 6.2.21. https://www.gov.scot/publications/carers-scotland-act-2016-statutory-guidance-updated-july-2021/pages/1/.[1]Care Home Census for Adults in Scotland, page 38, Figure 24[2]Care Home Census for Adults in Scotland, page 21, Table 1
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S7W-04212 by reference.