Up to 1.5 million disabled people could be missing out on social care support

Ten years since the Care Act 2014 came into force, a new poll revealed that out of 1,504 working-age disabled adults in England, more than one in four, 28%, could be eligible for support under Care Act criteria but have never had a social care needs assessment.

Across the country, this would translate to around 1.5 million people.

Healthwatch England, which commissioned the poll, identified people who may have unmet social care needs based on their responses—people who said they’re eligible for social care under the Care Act but who have never received social care due to multiple factors: 

• They didn’t think they could get any support (65%);

• They didn’t know where to go for support (34%);

• They were unable to afford to pay for care or contributions (26%);

• They found it too difficult to get support from councils or the NHS (14%);

• Their local service closed; (2%).  

The poll also found that when people receive social care, they generally report positive experiences.  

Out of 20% of respondents who said they currently receive social care, over three quarters, 78%, agreed that the care they receive helps them live the life they want, compared to only nine per cent who disagreed with the statement.  

Two-thirds (62%) of the respondents who receive social care said it helps them stay healthy, while over half, 51%, said it helps them do the activities they enjoy.  

Just under half, 47%, said that their care enables them to keep themselves and their home clean, and the same number said it supports them to eat and drink properly. Just over one in five, 22%, of people said that their care supports them in working, studying, or volunteering.

Under the Care Act, people may be eligible for social care support if their needs arise from a physical impairment or illness that negatively affects their ability to perform tasks quickly, independently, and safely, while also affecting their wellbeing.  

However, the extent to which eligibility might apply to more disabled people will remain unknown until people can easily interact with social care services or access assessments.

Vicky Marriott, Chief Officer for Healthwatch Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, said:

"Social care can transform people's lives. This new research highlights this and shows how people can live more independently and on their own terms with the right care.

“But they need to get it in the first place.

"We need to ensure that more support is available to disabled people and make accessing it easier.  This will not only help more people with their immediate needs, it will also reduce pressure on the NHS and assist more individuals into work."

We’re calling for dedicated funding for local authorities to raise public awareness of social care, including proactive outreach to people who may be eligible for support, as part of broader social care reform plans.  

As part of the reform plan, Healthwatch England set out the following recommendations:

• The Government should fund local authorities to raise public awareness of social care and find potentially eligible individuals through proactive outreach to disabled people.

• The Government should also dedicate funding to boost capacity and support councils in addressing existing care assessments and care package backlogs.

• There needs to be greater investment to ensure all disabled people accessing social care assessments are offered a Care Act advocate who can help them understand the assessment process and their rights. 

In July 2023, we published our report looking at local adult social care services in Bristol: 'The bigger picture: what people think about adult social care'

Included in this report are considerations to take forward:

1. The need for support workers to signpost people to information on ASC (Adult Socal Care) services particularly Extra Care Housing for older adults.

2. The need for signposting to information on advocacy services for people with Learning Disabilities and people with mental health issues.

3. The need for readily available respite care opportunities for unpaid carers.

4. Reduced waiting times for care assessments for ASC people who draw on care and support. Feedback revealed people who draw on care and support were waiting between 1-2 years for care assessments. (It was stated that waiting lists for care assessments for new people who draw on care and support are up to three years).

5. Reduced waiting times for carer assessments for unpaid carers.

6. Accessible information and advice on eligibility for Direct Payments, Extra Care Housing and Advocacy.

7. The need for mental health and emotional support services for unpaid carers. 

8. The need for support (and day services) for people and their carers to participate in social and cultural activities in the community to reduce social isolation.

9. Increase the availability of advocacy services for people with physical and sensory impairment.

10. Increase the availability of advocacy services for Black and minoritised ethnic groups to enhance the take up of Direct Payments.