Informal carers’ views on the support available from Adult Social Care
Informal carers’ views on the support available from Adult Social Care: A qualitative interview study
Older people and people with disabilities or serious illnesses often depend on family members and friends to care for them at home. This can be hard for the carers, who may not be able to do take breaks from caring if there is nobody to take over, and may have to combine caring with paid work. As a result, carers may get stressed, depressed, anxious and become physically ill. Social Services are legally obliged to help and support carers by finding out what they need to carry on and giving them advice and support. This may include giving them money for some things.
In this study we want to find out what carers think about the services available to carers in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset, the support they get themselves, and what other help they would like to make sure they are able to continue to care for their friend or relative.
We will talk to up 45 people who care for a friend or family member and who have sought help from Social Services or from a carers' organisation. We will ask them how they found out about services, their view of any help they have had, what other support they would like, and what could be improved. We will also ask them if this support has improved their life and health.
We will summarise people’s views, experiences and ideas in a report which will include recommendations that will help improve the work of social services going forward.
Get involved
If you are an unpaid carer who has been in touch with Social Services or a carers’ organisation for help, we are interested in interviewing you. If you are selected, you will receive a £20 shopping voucher as thanks for your participation.
Please read our Participant Information Sheet for more information, and contact the research team:
Call Dr Grace Scrimgeour on 0117 456 0540 or email Connect-ED@bristol.ac.uk (please put ‘Carers’ in the subject).
