Carers are people who, without payment, provide help and support to a family member or a friend who may not be able to manage without this help because of frailty, illness or disability. Carers can be adults caring for other adults, parents caring for ill or disabled children or young people who care for another family member.

A DHSSPS key objective is to support people to live independent lives safely in the community and carers enable many thousands of vulnerable people to do this. In recognition of this, the Department published a strategy for carers in January 2006. “Caring for Carers” was the product of an extensive period of consultation with carers and their representative organisations. The strategy deals with a range of issues including health and personal social services, employment, training, education, information and support services. It is an ongoing piece of work designed to recognise, value and support the role of carers.

Relevant legislation places a responsibility on Health and Social Care Trusts to inform carers of their right to an assessment of their needs and gives Trusts the power to supply services directly to carers to help them in their caring role.

This bulletin presents for the quarter ending 31 December 2011, statistics relating to the numbers of completed and declined carers assessments, the main reasons why carers declined offers to be assessed, carers reviews completed, carers reassessments completed and declined.  Analyses are presented in respect of carers and the persons cared for by gender and age, both regionally and across Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland.

Details of the next publication are available in the IAD calendar which can be found on the IAD publications page.