This episode of How Carer Aware Are You? shines a light on the real experiences of unpaid carers and the crucial role health and social care professionals play in identifying, involving, and supporting them. In this episode, Rachel Tainsh speaks with Joanne Gibson, an AHP educator and speech and language therapist, who reflects on her personal journey caring for her terminally ill mum alongside her professional experience supporting families and young children.
Together, they explore the emotional and practical realities of unpaid caring, the pressures surrounding hospital discharge, and the transformative power of small, compassionate actions from professionals. Drawing on both adult and infant mental health perspectives, the conversation reveals how honest communication, listening with empathy, and collaborative practice can meaningfully improve the experiences of carers particularly parent carers navigating complex circumstances.
Grounded in the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 and the principles of Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), this episode encourages practitioners to recognise carers early, involve them in decision‑making, inform them clearly, and record their contributions to ensure continuity of care.
A powerful, human, and practice‑focused episode for anyone committed to enhancing support for unpaid carers across Scotland.
Content Advisory:
This podcast contains
- Discussion of experiences of caring for a terminally ill family member
- Discussion of the emotional impact of unpaid caring.
If this content might disturb you or those around you, please reconsider listening or accessing the written transcript.
Access a written transcript of the Small Things Make a Big Difference: Insights on Hospital Discharge and the Experiences of Parent Carers episode.
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The information contained in this podcast is current at the point of publication, with no guarantee of future relevance.
Show notes:
Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) - gov.scot
Children's rights - Human rights - gov.scot
Summary - Carers (Scotland) Act 2016: statutory guidance - updated July 2021 - gov.scot
