The State of Caring 2024 survey found that an increasing number of unpaid carers are experiencing poor mental health because they cannot take a break from caring.
More than half (57%) of carers responding to the survey said they feel overwhelmed ‘often’ or ‘always’. Over a third (35%) said they have ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ mental health, compared to 27% in the previous year’s survey.
65% of unpaid carers said that the reason they feel overwhelmed is because they are not able to take time away from their caring roles, and two thirds (66%) said they need more support with their health and wellbeing.
Under the Care Act 2014, carers are entitled to have a Carer’s Assessment by their local council, offering an opportunity to discuss the help they need in their caring role and assess whether they are eligible for additional support. However, an increasing demand for social care services, together with a lack of funding for social care means that replacement care and respite services are not always available when carers need them.
This year’s survey found that:
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Most carers providing substantial care are not receiving Carer’s Assessments. Only 23% have completed an assessment in the last 12 months.
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42% of carers who had had a Carer’s Assessment said their local authority has not supported them following this.
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Challenges with social care services are also impacting on carers’ health and wellbeing. 57% of carers experience long wait times for support and 51% say that services were not available when they need them. Of those experiencing difficulties, 79% say it has negatively impacted their mental health.
Carers UK is asking the Government to ensure that unpaid carers are a specific and key part of the Casey Commission into reform of social care. It is vital local authorities have sufficient and sustainable funding to enable them to fulfil their duties to carers under the Care Act 2014. Carers UK is also calling on Government to urgently invest an additional £1.5 billion in breaks and respite services in England (with consequential funding for Devolved Nations) and legislate so that carers have a statutory right to regular and meaningful breaks.
