In their Own Right: Translating the Policy of Carer Assessment into Practice

The intersection of employment and care: evidence from a UK case study

“…That the nature of European Journal of Social Work 667 the caring role is, in turn, influenced by the health condition and situation of the cared for person is a third key factor. Evidence identifies that three issues are pivotal to facilitate employment amongst carers: access to advice and information; joined up assessments that take account of the needs of the carer and cared for person together; and providing a matrix of affordable good quality social care services (Seddon et al, 2007). Lack of access to support is a known trigger for carers to leave work; this is amplified for intensive and dementia carers (Carers UK, 2011).…”

Carers' Roles in Personal Budgets: Tensions and Dilemmas in Front Line Practice: Table 1

“…Depending on the outcome of the assessment, carers may receive a cash personal budget, or funding for a break from care-giving. In 2009-10 only four per cent of carers reported having been assessed (Princes Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care 2010; see also Seddon et al, 2007). By March 2012, 51,191 carers reported receipt of a personal budget, with just under half as a one-off cash payment (ADASS, 2012).…”

“…Research (Seddon et al, 2007) has documented the gap between carer assessment policy and practice, within the latter often ad-hoc and inconsistent. Practitioners in this study reported meeting their duty to offer carers their own assessment.…”

Economic and demographic challenges for social care

“…Research has for some time shown how social workers, as "formal carers" are often not adequately cared for by employing organisations and this can affect their mental health (Stanley et al, 2007) and how the needs of informal carers have been inadequately acknowledged through statutory services (Arksey and Glendinning, 2007;Seddon et al, 2007), which can again affect their mental health (Butterworth et al, 2010;Carers Scotland, 2011). Munro's (2011) influential report into child protection 667 Economic and demographic challenges social work in England notes the lack of support and stressful conditions that can characterise the experiences of social workers working in local authority Children's Services and emphasises the need for organisations providing these services to "listen to the front-line" and for managers to refrain from making decisions that undermine the work of social workers, but rather support them in a number of ways, including reflective supervision, to do their job effectively (pp.…”