STATE OF CARING REPORT 2016
Well over a third
39%
of carers in England caring for
someone at end of life waited or have
been waiting for at least six months
for a carer’s assessment.
I requested a carer’s assessment and
council refused it, said I did not have
a right to one as I was caring for child
not an adult!
Waiting for an assessment
Of carers who have been offered a carer’s assessment or
have requested one, half (50%) received an assessment
within 6 months but nearly a third (29%) waited for more
than 6 months or are still waiting 6 months later.
There were variations between different groups of carers.
Older carers were more likely to have an assessment more
quickly with 55% of older carers offered or requesting
an assessment receiving one within 6 months and 25%
waiting longer than six months.
Those supporting someone with a mental health condition
were slightly less likely (48%) to have received an
assessment within six months. The survey suggests that
alarming numbers of those providing care for someone
with a palliative or end of life condition are waiting for 6
months or longer for a carer’s assessment. Well over a
third of carers (39%) for someone at the end of life waited
or have been waiting for at least six months. This includes
nearly a quarter (23%) who are still waiting 6 months later.
Only 42% received a carer’s assessment within 6 months
of being offered one or requesting one.5
There was also a difference in the timeliness of
assessments depending on whether a carer requested
an assessment or was offered one. This was particularly
stark for parents of disabled children under 18 who are
more likely to request an assessment than other groups of
carers.
Of those carers who requested a carer’s assessment (rather
than being offered one) 34% have waited or have been
waiting for more than 6 months. This rises to 48% of those
caring for a disabled child under 18. 17% of all carers who
have requested a carer’s assessment are still waiting 6
months later.
For those carers who were offered an assessment, a
quarter, (25%) have waited or have been waiting for more
than 6 months, rising to 28% of those caring for a disabled
child under 18.
5
The sample size of black and minority ethnic carers who had received a
carer’s assessment in the last year was too small to include findings on.
09
I had to wait almost a year to get an
assessment
I had to fight for a social worker but
got an assessment immediately and
finally got some support although it’s
still not at the correct level.
Waiting a year has made the situation
much more difficult and my need for
help considerably greater. I definitely
feel the length of time waiting has had
a detrimental effect on my mental
health.
Nearly a third
29%
of carers in England who
have been offered a
carer’s assessment or have
requested one have waited
for more than six months
or are still waiting six
months later.