Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

NG150/4

Question

What is the effectiveness, cost effectiveness and acceptability of carer passport schemes?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Why the committee made the recommendations
There was a lack of evidence on effectiveness or cost effectiveness to support a recommendation about the circumstances in which carers' breaks should or shouldn't be offered. Instead, the committee based their recommendations on qualitative evidence showing that many carers struggle to maintain their own wellbeing and often overlook their own needs because of their caring responsibilities. This makes it important for practitioners to remind them regularly of the value of taking a break, including a break from their usual routines associated with caring.
The evidence showed that carers' breaks were often limited in nature, availability, quality and flexibility. This can cause stress to the carer that undermines the benefits when they are offered. The committee drafted recommendations to improve how breaks are provided when they are offered or accessed by carers.
No evidence was found about carers' passports as a means of improving support for carers, so the committee made a research recommendation to establish their effectiveness and to understand people's views and experiences of them (see research recommendation 4).

How the recommendations might affect practice
The committee did not anticipate that these recommendations would have a significant impact on practice or resource implications. However, it is not consistent practice for practitioners to discuss carers' breaks with carers so this recommendation could have a positive effect and may represent a change to the quality of discussions between practitioners and carers.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review F: providing practical support for adult carers.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Supporting adult carers

Number

NG150

Date issued

January 2020

Other details