Carers and Empowerment in the UK: A Critical Reflection

Abstract

This article provides a critical reflection on carer empowerment in the UK, an issue which has received limited attention in policy and research. The arena is characterised by considerable conceptual confusion around key terminology, carer, care and caring, and by limited understanding of the meaning and outcomes of carer empowerment. Despite increased national acknowledgment of carers, a politically active carers' movement and a number of policies intended to enhance the recognition and rights of carers, many carers remain invisible and receive little support from services, to the detriment of their own health and well-being. Addressing these challenges, alongside developing a robust theoretical foundation for taking the 'carers' agenda' forward, is needed if carers are to move towards a more empowered status in the twenty-first century.

The relatives’ voice: how do relatives experience participation in reablement? A qualitative study

“…Furthermore, Sadler and McKevitt17 pointed out that recent interventions have moved away from offering advice and support to caregivers or enhancing their psychological competence, aiming instead to train them in such skills as personal care, feeding, swallowing problems, transfers, and mobility activities, that caregivers are assumed to require. In addition, Larkin and Milne18 provide a critical reflection on carer empowerment in the UK, an issue which has received limited attention in policy and research. Despite increased national acknowledgment of carers, a politically active carers’ movement and a number of policies intended to enhance the recognition and rights of carers, many carers remain invisible and receive little support from health care services.…”

The Treatment of Informal Care-Related Risks as Social Risks: An Analysis of the English Care Policy System

“…Some academics consider the collective mobilisation of informal carers within political processes is undermined by conflicts of interest between the members of the caring dyad (Morel, 2006); the heterogeneity of the people engaged in informal care (Lloyd, 2006); and the isolation of the caring role itself (Anttonen et al, 2003). However, Barnes (2001), Larkin and Milne (2014) consider the political pressure group activity undertaken by key carers' organisations in the UK to have been instrumental to the development of statutory protection mechanisms for informal carers.…”

Carers of people affected by cancer and other long-term conditions at end of life: A qualitative study of providing a bespoke package of support in a rural setting

“…1 This Act was followed by further Carers Acts in 2000 2 and 2004; 3 the UK government also published national carers' strategies in 1999 4 and 2010. 5 While the legislation is commonly held to have improved the recognition and visibility of carers, 6 the impact in terms of the numbers being assessed and receiving support has been questioned. 6,7 Most recently, the Care Act 2014 8 went beyond the previous legislation's emphasis on the assessment of carers' needs by specifying a duty to meet a carer's needs for support, subject to conditions.…”