Local Account

The results of the carers’ survey help us understand the lived experiences of those who provide unpaid care for others in Peterborough. The work of unpaid carers is vital to the social care system. Supporting the experiences, capacity, and wellbeing of unpaid carers is an essential part of local authority social care responsibilities.

Following the co-production of our All Age Carers Strategy there has been a real focus on supporting carers and listening to their needs and wishes. Although early in our delivery of the recommendations the survey shows some evidence of how changes we have made are having a positive impact.

Some key findings emerging from the detailed survey analysis are listed below.

• The carers responding in 2023 were slightly younger than in 2021 with growth in the percentages aged 35-44, 55-64 and 65-74 and a reduction in those aged 75-84 and 85+. The percentage aged 45-54 remained the same as in 2021.

• An increased proportion of carers were in paid work (29.1%) in 2023 than in 2021. Nearly 10% fewer carers were retired and 4% fewer were not in paid employment than in 2021.

• While the most common reason for the cared for person needing care remains due to a physical disability (53.5%), the largest growth in needing care was due to learning disabilities or difficulties (up to 22.8%).

• An increased proportion of carers in Peterborough declared themselves not to have a long-standing health condition or disability (43.8%). This is a shift in the opposite direction of the national trend, where a substantially lower proportion declared no long-term health condition or disability than in 2021, 38.9%.

• 76.5% of carers had not had an assessment or review within the last year. This is due to the shift away from formal assessments in favour of a more personalised, lighter-touch approach.

• An increased proportion of carers had accessed a service to give them a break (76.5% up from 68.2% in 2021), and a slightly increased percentage had support from a carers group, but this was lower than England overall. Fewer carers had accessed training.

• Overall, carer satisfaction with services received improved (for carers who were ‘extremely satisfied’ or ‘quite satisfied, with a corresponding reduction in those who were ‘quite dissatisfied’). However, there was a small increase in those who were extremely dissatisfied and a small decrease in those who were very satisfied.

• A slightly increased proportion of carers reported feeling as though they had control over daily life, with fewer reporting insufficient control over daily life.

• An increased proportion of carers reported financial difficulties in 2023 compared to 2021, with increases both in those having some extent of financial difficulties and those having significant financial difficulties.

• The majority of carers known to the council are female. In 2023, 33.8% were male.

• The largest age groups of carers were those aged 55-64 (27.8%) and 65-74 (22.6%). 6.3% were aged 85 or older.

• The carers in the sample were primarily White British. 69.4% of carers identified themselves as white, which was a significant decrease since 2021, but this is primarily due to an increase in those choosing not to say (16.4%). 10.7% were Asian/Asian British respondents.

• 57.9% of the carers were retired, while 29.1% were employed or self-employed part- or full-time.

• 43.8% of carers declared themselves to have no long-standing health condition or disability. 16.3% disclosed a mental health problem or illness. Overall, the self-reported impact of caring was less harmful in most areas than in 2021 though impacts remain significant.

• 24.8% of carers had been caring for 20 years or more. 74.9% lived with the person they cared for, and 42.1% care for someone for 100 or more hours a week.

Age of people cared for

The largest age groups cared for were ages 75-84 (28.6%) and 85+ (26.8%).

Reason for caring

The most common reason that someone needed care was due to a physical disability (53.5%). The main growth area was in those needing support due to a learning disability or difficulty (22.8% in 2023 up from 13.9% in 2021).

Services Received

8.5% of carers had been joint assessed or reviewed with the person they cared for, while 15% had received a separate carers assessment. 76.5% had not had an assessment or a review within the year, reflecting the move towards lighter touch carer’s conversations as a route for carers support.

48.8% had received information, advice or signposting in the last 12 months, while 76.5% had accessed some form of break, either planned or in an emergency. 7.1% had support to stay in employment.

Overall satisfaction with services received by the carer and cared for person

The percentage of carers who reported themselves ‘extremely satisfied’ with services increased from 8.3% in 2021 to 12.5% in 2023. The percentage who were ‘very satisfied’ decreased slightly to 24.6%, but the percentage who were extremely, very, or quite satisfied increased overall from 59.9% in 2021 to 70.6% in 2023.

Slightly fewer carers overall reported dissatisfaction, down to 9% in 2023 from 10.2% in 2021.

Access to information and advice

Fewer carers overall sought information and advice (28.7% did not seek advice in 2023, up from 21.7% in 2021). However, more carers reported ease in finding information and advice (9.4% considered it very easy, and 36.3% found it fairly easy), with lower percentages reporting difficulty than in 2021.

Helpfulness of information and advice

The percentages of carers finding information and advice quite or very unhelpful fell from 11.9% to 5.9%, while the percentage finding it quite helpful increased to 38%. However, the percentage stating it was very helpful reduced from 18.1% to 15.8%. These results should be understood within the context of fewer people seeking information and advice overall. .

Carers feeling consulted with

More carers were aware of discussions about the person they cared for within the last 12 months than in 2021. An increased percentage of carers said they were always involved or consulted (28.3% in 2023) and more carers also stated they were usually involved or consulted (26%).

Being able to spend time doing the things I value or enjoy

Significantly more carers felt they could spend time doing things they enjoy or value, up to 19.3% from 10.3% in 2021. Fewer stated they could not do anything they enjoyed, down to 14.9% in 2023 from 18.5% in 2021.

Having control over daily life

Fewer carers felt they had no control over daily life (14.4% in 2023 compared to 22.6% in 2021), while more felt they had as much control as they wanted (increasing to 23.6% in 2023 from 16.4%).

Looking after myself

More carers reported getting enough sleep and eating well (49.1%) than in 2021 (39.4%). However, this is lower than in 2018, when 55.2% reported feeling that they looked after themselves.

Fewer carers reported neglecting themselves, with the percentage falling from 23.2% to 11.7%.

Personal safety

84.2% of carers reported not being worried about their personal safety (up from 77% in 2021). Slightly more carers reported being extremely worried about their personal safety than in 2021, with 1.3% in 2023 up from 0.6%.

Social contact

More carers felt they had as much social contact as they wanted with people they liked than in 2021, up to 32.5% from 21.3%. This is unsurprising given the impact of the pandemic on the 2021 survey results, but also represents a slight increase since 2018, pre-pandemic (32.2%). Fewer carers reported feeling socially isolated (10.5% down from 25.6%).

Encouragement and support in the caring role

More carers felt they had encouragement in their roles, while fewer felt they had some encouragement and support, but not enough. Fewer carers felt they had no encouragement and support, which in 2021 represented 18.2% of carers but 14.2% in 2023.

Available time to care

A larger percentage of carers felt they always had enough time to care (55.4%). This is slightly higher than in 2021, with 51.4%. Those who felt they never had enough time reduced to 3.6%, which is lower than England overall.

Financial difficulties

54.5% of carers reported no financial difficulties caused by caring in the prior year, which is lower than in 2021 (59.2%). Those experiencing a lot of financial difficulties increased from 8.3% to 10.8%.

Indicators where Peterborough's results were better than the national average

 Overall satisfaction with services received

Peterborough’s result for extremely, very or quite satisfied was 70.6%. The national result was 50.1%.

Access to information and advice

Peterborough’s result for very or fairly easy to find information and advice was 45.7%. The national result was 41.1%.

Carers feeling consulted with

Peterborough’s result for always or usually feeling consulted was 54.3%. The national result was 45%.

Being able to spend time doing the things they value or enjoy

Peterborough’s result for being able to do all or some of the things they enjoy was 85.1%. The national result was 82.2%.

Having control over their daily life

Peterborough’s result for having as much control over daily life as they wanted was 23.6%. The national result was 21.5%.

Looking after themselves

49.1% of carers in Peterborough said they looked after themselves. The national result was 46.7%.

Personal safety

84.2% of carers in Peterborough said they had no worries about their personal safety. The national result was 81%.

Social contact

Peterborough’s result for having as much social contact as they want was 32.5%. The national result was 30%.

Encouragement and support in their caring role

Peterborough’s result for having as much encouragement and support as they want was 35.6%. The national result was 32.4%.

Available time to care

Peterborough’s result for always or sometimes having enough time to care for others was 41%. The national result was 39.2%.

Financial difficulties

Peterborough’s result for caring having caused the carer no financial difficulties was 54.5%. The national result was 53.4%.

Indicators where Peterborough’s results were worse than the national average

Helpfulness of information and advice

Peterborough’s result for very or quite helpful was 53.8%. The national result was 57.1%

The national survey of adult carers provides valuable local insight into carers and their experiences, but it also feeds a number of national indicators within the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF).

The results show that all ASCOF indicators have improved since the last survey in 2021.

Have you found it easy or difficult to get the support or services you need as a carer in the last 12 months? The service may be provided by different organisations, such as a voluntary organisation, a private agency or Social Services.

More carers had sought support in 2023 than in 2021, with only 16.7% not needing support. 55.1% reported it was quite or very easy to get support, while 26.8% reported it was quite or very difficult (a decrease from 37.7% in 2021).

How is your health in general?

42.6% of carers said their health was good or very good. 41.7% said it was fair, and 15.8% reported it was bad or very bad.

What do you use to find information and advice about support, services or benefits?

62.6% of carers found information and advice on the internet, while 42.9% accessed information and advice through family and friends.

Analysis of comments from carers: key themes

Positive Experiences with care and support:

• Many carers had positive experiences with their care workers. One comment mentioned, "My carer has been very helpful. The organisation **** have been pro-active".

• Another carer shared, "We have carers (2) coming in 4 times a day, and they are very friendly & helpful, which makes a great difference".

Support and Communication:

• Many carers expressed frustration with the lack of support and communication from across all services and difficulties accessing support to avert a crisis. One carer mentioned, "It would be good & helpful if we had a better service, instead of me having to chase up"

• A carer shared, "Life was really difficult in the beginning with little help until ***** started wandering and getting lost and I had to collect her from the Police. It was only then that services began to help".

• Carers suggested providing training and emergency cover for family members who are willing to care for their loved ones. One carer mentioned, "Training given by social services. My family members would be happy to care for their loved ones and be at ease as well".

Financial Strain:

• Carers highlighted the financial impact of caring for family members. One comment stated, "When looking after/caring family members does have a financial impact on the carer. If the payments are given to the carer, instead of employing a carer from an agency or social services, it would be better".

• Another carer mentioned, "Due to cost of caring I only get limited amount of help with personal care for my wife. The sitting service (3hs per week) is helpful for me. We are finding it difficult to obtain funding for a new wheelchair for my wife as her present one is worn out".

Emotional and Physical Strain:

• Carers expressed the emotional and physical toll of their responsibilities. One carer said, "I don't get enough sleep as I wake up or my wife wakes me to help her go to toilet".

• Another carer shared, "I have a history of fainting. I take care not to slip, trip or fall".

Challenges with Healthcare Services:

• Many carers reported challenges with access to healthcare services as a key factor increasing the stress of caring.

• Carers expressed the need for better access to healthcare services, including home visits for vaccinations and improved GP services. One carer stated, "I have found it impossible to arrange for flu and covid vaccinations at home".

Carers play an essential role in supporting the wellbeing of those they care for. However, we also recognise the impact that a caring role often has on carers’ own health and wellbeing. Informed by the results of this survey as well as more localised consultation processes, we continue to progress the recommendations within our carers strategy.

Information and Advice

Public information offer - Bridgit Care

To ensure that the best possible service is provided, we have created a public information strategy and will be working with a range of experts by experience to focus on continued improvements in content and accessibility.

A digital transformation project is underway to develop a one-stop-shop for carer support. Peterborough City Council is partnering with Bridgit Care to offer a digital platform where carers can build personalised support plans, access signposting specific to their needs, have 24/7 AI chat support, and be referred to additional services and support where needed.

The implementation of the Bridgit app will ensure that systems and services are joined up, so that the app interfaces not only with Adult Services providers in a way that avoids carers needing to repeat their stories unnecessarily, but also helps identify carers to GP practices and others for more comprehensive support. Accessibility features will ensure that the app is easy to use and can be accessed in a range of languages.

Carers – Carers Conversations and Carers Assessments

We have also refocused on our statutory responsibilities. As such, we are committed to increasing support to practitioners to undertake meaningful carers conversations and assessments. Although the number of carers assessments have continued to decrease from 2021 to 2023, there has been a corresponding increase in carers conversations. These conversations aim to offer carers the support they need at the level they need it without the initial formality of a carers assessment, with the option to then undertake a carers assessment if additional support is needed, and we believe this range of offerings better meets the needs of carers. Service and signposting uptake remains high, showing these assessments and conversations are having the necessary impact.

Carers being consulted

Carers conversations and carers assessments aim, among other goals, to create spaces where carers can express their needs and ensure that carers’ perspectives are at the centre of the services which are offered to them. This refocus on carers conversations and carers assessments will continue to ensure that carers are consulted and that services can best fit their needs.

Additionally, a review of practice guidance has aimed to better support practitioners to understand how they can support our unpaid carers. This guidance lays out the range of support options available and guides practitioners to identifying the services which would be most helpful to the carer, while working with the individual to ensure they feel their needs are being met effectively.

Satisfaction with services

We are in the early stages of introducing additional feedback mechanisms, such as feedback forms. However, there has been low uptake of submitting feedback, so we are also exploring other modes of feedback, such as through less formal conversations. Some of these modes of feedback may include meeting carers in their spaces and on their terms, looking to gather feedback in ways they are most comfortable with. Within specific services with more established feedback processes, we will be conducting a co-produced review of the system for feedback.

We are also committed to learning from complaints. The Quality Practice Team are focussing on sharing lessons learned across Adult Social Care services and the wider organisation.

Social contact

We support informal carers in increasing their social contact by offering respite care. This can take a variety of forms, ranging from a brief sit-in service to allow a carer to attend a club or other social event, to day services which allow the carer more regular time to engage with work, friends or community outside their caring responsibilities, and more.

Commissioned Carers Support

We have 2 commissioned providers that provide a range support that specifically targets our cities unpaid carers. Caring Together provides support to the adult population as a whole, with Making Space providing specialist support to those who care for people with mental health conditions. They provide a range of support including information and advice, training, support groups, workshops, what if plan design and activations, and day trips.

The support is not just limited to these 2 services with our carers also being able to access other commissioned providers. The Dementia Resource Centre provides a welcoming hub and peer to peer support specifically for those who care for people with Dementia. Our Befriending service seeks to alleviate some of the loneliness and isolation its users are experiencing. The Advocacy service ensures everyone can have their voice heard. There is also the Lifeline service which enables our carers to have peace of mind that their cared for can easily raise an alarm should they need to at any point.

Carers can also purchase flexible support through direct payments, e.g., through employing a personal assistant, arranging respite care or hiring a cleaner. Further work is planned to clarify the direct payment offer for carers.

Integration with health system

Carers frequently need to navigate the complex interfaces between the health and social care systems. To simplify this process and to ensure carers receive the best services possible, we are working with primary care providers and social prescribers to identify carers and work to provide a more cohesive offer. The Bridgit app, which offers a one-stop-shop for carer support, will help in this process by helping identify carers to GP practices and provide more seamless integration between systems.

Find out more about our Carers Strategy – here - All-Age Carers Strategy 2022-26