Commenting on ADASS’ Spring Survey findings, Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said:

“For a number of consecutive years now, ADASS’ spring survey of adult social services directors has shown that unpaid carers are burning out - and this is the main factor in breakdowns of unpaid carer arrangements, which is putting more pressure back on services. This is a totally unacceptable and unethical situation, putting families in this position because of the lack of sufficient and consistent funding.

“Given the poorly funded and overstretched state of social care in England, it is no longer surprising that 91% of directors said that unpaid carers are coming forward with increased levels of need – but this stark statistic shows there is so much work that urgently needs to be done to support unpaid carers with their caring roles. Lack of support services and care workers mean unpaid carers are having to provide more care at a greater cost to their health and wellbeing, and as more people reach crisis point, ADASS believes there will be a rise in carers forced to reduce hours or leave work. This will cost health and social care, the Government and employers more in the longer run.

“Already a bleak outlook, things will only get worse without a fully funded, long-term plan to transform social care in England – a plan that ensures unpaid carers can get practical support. The Government needs to announce how it plans to use the £25 million it committed to unpaid carers more than 18 months ago – they cannot and should not wait any longer.

“The survey found that most councils say they’re not confident they can offer the minimum social care support in their communities required by law: this should be major cause for concern. These are services that families desperately need to maintain their quality of life and the Government needs to show it is taking social care and them seriously.”