Adult Social Care Market Position Statement Unpaid Carers

Unpaid Carers

2021 Census data indicates that:

  • just under 50,000 Somerset residents said they provided unpaid care to a friend of relative (around 1 in 11 people).
  • This is approximately 8,000 fewer than the number identified in the 2011 Census
  • About 35,000 were under the age of 65.

The decrease in numbers of unpaid carers was also seen nationally, but was not uniform – numbers providing under 20 hours of unpaid care each week decreased significantly, whilst numbers providing more hours of care increased.  This was a pattern seen both locally and nationally.

The ONS (Office for National Statistics) have provided some additional information along with theories about the possible decreases[1]. Potential explanations for changes in the provision of unpaid care could include:

  • coronavirus guidance on reducing travel and limiting visits to people from other households;
  • unpaid carers who previously shared caring responsibilities may have taken on all aspects of unpaid care because of rules on household mixing during the coronavirus pandemic;
  • there were a higher number of deaths than expected in the older population at the beginning of 2021 due to coronavirus (COVID-19) and other causes; this could have led to a reduction in the need for unpaid care;
  • changes in the question wording between 2011 and 2021 may have had an impact on the number of people who self-reported as unpaid carers.

 

Somerset Carers Support Service

Somerset County Council jointly commissions a Somerset Carers’ Support Service with NHS Somerset. This is a universal service for unpaid Carers and former Carers in Somerset. The service delivers a ‘one stop shop’ approach to ensure that all carers in Somerset can receive the support they require, when they need it, via a single point of contact. There is a focus on early intervention and prevention and the service helps Carers to find support within their local communities.

The Somerset Carers Service are currently supporting 69 Carers Champions across GP Surgeries in Somerset. This includes helping with improving knowledge and working closely with the Primary Care Networks. A Peer Support Network has been set up to ensure consistency across the County in terms of the level of support Carers will receive.

 

Supporting carers in hospital

158 Carers have been supported through the Single Point of Contact Team that includes the Agents Service, Red Cross and Acute staff. This offers a much more joined up approach to supporting effective discharge of patients and their Carers back home, fully utilising community support services.

Follow up home visits are undertaken to ensure that both the patient and family are coping well back within their own environment. Micro-provider services are sourced in some circumstances to help reduce the strain on Carers by taking on everyday tasks so the family are free to focus on caring for their loved one. Ongoing care and support is sourced where needed to prevent re-admission into hospital.

 

Carers Support Groups

Carers Groups are supported through the contract with the Community Council and provided by SPARK Somerset. There are currently 21 groups but these are growing. There are on-line groups as well as face to face, these provide a chance for Carers to have some respite and socialise, some groups run with the Carer and the cared for. There are regular group activities, organised day trips, informative speakers and more.

Our Adult Social Care Strategy sets out our clear and ongoing commitment to ensuring unpaid carers are valued, recognised and supported to provide care in a way that supports their own health and wellbeing.

 

[1] https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandwellbeing/bulletins/unpaidcareenglandandwales/census2021