Carers of adults urged to take part in national survey

People who are informal carers for adults, are being encouraged to take part in the Annual Survey of Adult Carers in England.

An informal carer could be someone who looks after a family member or friend who is unable to manage without care and support because they may be ill, frail, with disabilities, have poor mental health or drugs and alcohol problems.

Carers should start receiving the postal survey from today.

Adult carers

The Shropshire survey forms part of the national programme led by NHS Digital, and asks carers about their views on the services they and the person they care for receive and about their quality of life.

All feedback from the survey will be used to help Shropshire Council better understand the impact of the services carers receive and help identify what areas need improving and or developing.

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care and public health, said:-

“I would encourage everyone who receives a survey to please respond. The more people who take part, the more useful the results will be. The survey is based mainly on tick box, multiple choice questions and is designed by NHS Digital to be as simple as possible to complete. 

“However, if you need any help completing the survey you can either ask a friend or relative to help, or phone Shropshire Council’s customer services helpline. Shropshire Council can also provide the survey in other formats for those who need it, such as a large text version or arrange translation of the survey into another language.”

Tanya Miles, Shropshire Council’s executive director of people, added:-

“The Survey of Adult Carers in England usually takes place every other year. It is designed to understand more about the experiences of carers aged 18 or over, who care for someone aged 18 or over.

“The survey will be sent out with a letter explaining how to complete the survey and key information with a survey form and freepost envelope.

“If you do receive a letter please take the opportunity to let us know your views.”

Those who may need help to complete the survey can contact the customer service team on 0348 678 9077 for advice. Alternatively, those selected could ask a family member or friend to help them complete the survey. 

Further information

The survey is part of a national programme led by NHS Digital. Shropshire Council delivers the survey on behalf of NHS Digital and follows national guidance to ensure surveying is consistent across all local authorities. The data enables councils to benchmark against their peers and to gather information to support their local commissioning, performance and strategy. The survey also supplies data for a number of measures in the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework.

The survey covers informal, unpaid carers aged 18 or over, caring for a person aged 18 or over, where the carer has been assessed or reviewed, either separately or jointly with the cared-for person, by social services during the 12 months prior to the sample being identified. Carers were sent questionnaires, issued by councils with Adult Social Services Responsibilities (CASSRs), to seek their opinions on a number of topics that are considered to be indicative of a balanced life alongside their caring role.

Find out more here Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England 2018-19 – NHS Digital