State of Caring Carers UK State of Caring 2017 Report - Page 14

STATE OF CARING REPORT 2017
Only 4 in 10
40 %
said they are able to choose and
have control of the services they
receive
Mental health services have been cut
to the bone, it’s more difficult to get
help as and when needed
When my son became ‘an adult’ his
respite was reduced by a third. I was
told “that’s what happens when you
become an adult
Choice and control of care and support
services
Without good neighbours I would
have no help
Some people with care needs get a cash sum from
their local authority or Health and Social Care Trust (in
Northern Ireland) to pay for care and support services
directly or receive a budget to choose the support
services they want, although the local authority may
arrange it. 27% of carers responding to the survey
said they or the person they support received a direct
payment or a budget to choose services they want.
The needs are increasing,
the help is decreasing
When asked whether the carer and the person they
care for have choice over what services they receive or
buy using their Direct Payment, 46% of respondents
who reported having a direct payment or a budget said
they have a choice but that options are limited and they
do not feel in control of the kind of support received.
Only 4 our out of 10 people (40%) said they are able to
choose and have control of the services they receive.
I have to fight for everything.
I feel alone and unsupported
More than 1 in 10 people (12%) said they have no
choice over the services in place to support them.
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