Carers UK’s response to CSCI’s third annual State of Social Care Report 2006-2007

“Carers have been telling our helpline CarersLine for many months that eligibility criteria for social care are being tightened and services being withdrawn. This report provides stark evidence of the lack of accessible, reliable care and the urgent need for a radical overhaul of the whole social care system."

“We welcome CSCI’s recognition that many people rely on help from family and informal arrangements and that those who cannot do so “are simply left to cope”. Carers are indeed the bedrock of social care. Care is something that we can all expect to provide and receive at some point in our lives. That is why Carers UK has been calling for a new social contract   to revolutionise the relationship between families, the state and other parts of society and require new commitments from employers, local agencies and communities."

“The findings of this new CSCI report back up our call for a comprehensive overhaul of the social care system which builds on the following realities:

• Chronically ill and disabled people need care, most of which is provided by carers – i.e. family and friends
• The economy needs carers. In a competitive world, we cannot afford to have men and women who want to work being forced to give up their jobs to care. Yet, with unpaid care now valued at £87 billion per year, the social economy cannot afford to lose carers either.
• Replacing all unpaid care with formal care services is both impossible and undesirable
• Carers are crucial partners in delivering social care
• Carers should not pay a penalty for the contribution they make. They need independence, a decent income and the right to an ordinary life.

“We welcome the Care Services Minister’s announcement today that CSCI will be undertaking a fundamental review of the eligibility criteria for care. We call upon the government also to recognise the realities about caring highlighted above - both in the forthcoming National Carers Strategy and the Green Paper on long term care.” 

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Read more about the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) annual report on the state of social care in England. more...

Notes for Editors

1 The report, “Carers, Employment and Services: time for a new social contract?, was conducted at the University of Leeds and commissioned by Carers UK. The authors are Professor Sue Yeandle and Dr Lisa Buckner. It is one of a series of publication and draws together the findings of the other reports on the Carers, Employment and Services (CES) Study conducted in 2006-7.

2 Carers UK is part of the ‘Right care Right deal’ campaign launched to build public awareness and support for brave and innovative solutions for the social care system. The campaign combines three of the UK’s largest charities working with and for older people and their families and carers. Further information is available at www.rightcare.org.uk

For further information contact:
Katherine Wilson T: 020 7979 7988  M: 07505 184262  E: katherine.wilson@carersuk.org