State of Caring Carers UK State of Caring 2017 Report | Page 17

STATE OF CARING REPORT 2017
Waiting for an assessment Experience of receiving an assessment
68% of carers in England reported having received a
carer’s assessment in the last 12 months. Of these, 8
out of 10 people (81%) waited less than six months,
with almost one in five (19%) waiting longer than six
months. Overall, this appears to be an improvement
on last year, when half of carers (50%) who had been
offered a carer’s assessment or had requested one,
reported receiving an assessment within 6 months. Of the 68% of carers in England who said they had
received a carer’s assessment in the last 12 months,
over half (55%) said their ability and willingness to
provide care was either not properly considered in their
assessment or in the support they received (19%) or
that they received some but insufficient consideration
(36%).
Only a third (35%) felt that the support needed to look
after their own mental and physical health alongside
caring was thoroughly considered and reflected in the
assessment process and subsequent consideration. A
third (33%) felt that their need to have regular breaks
from caring was thoroughly considered and reflected in
the support they receive.
There were variations between different groups of
carers. Of those who received an assessment in the
last 12 months, 84% of older carers and 80% of those
who provide care for more than 50 hours a week
reported waiting for less than six months for their
assessment. However, over a third (39%) of those
caring for children with a disability reported having
to wait more than six months to receive their carers
assessment. Sandwich carers and people caring for
someone with a mental health condition were also
more likely to have waited more than 6 months, with
25% of people in both groups reporting this.
The Care Act in England brings in new rights around
assessments for carers, but responses from carers
show that this does not necessarily mean carers are
getting the support the assessment identified them
needing in practice. Even when carers reported that the
assessment was thoroug