Exploring social support networks of family carers of adults with LDs
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of social networks analysis in identifying unmet support needs for family carers supporting an adult with a learning disability at home.
IRAS ID
310787
Contact name
Jillian M Powell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Around 951,000 of adults in England are thought to have a learning disability (Mencap, 2020; Public Health England, 2016). Of these around two thirds live in family homes, supported by unpaid carers (NICE, 2018). Evidence has shown that over time, many carers adapt to the caregiving role, and acquire skills to support their relative. However, burnout can occur if appropriate support, such as respite breaks, is not available. Austerity and the recent COVID pandemic have resulted in cuts to support which has led to carers providing longer hours of care without the safety net these services provide to enable them to continue their caregiving role. A situation which is not sustainable in the long term. With the pressure on social care budgets, gaining an understanding of what support is available through carers own networks of support would seem imperative.
To date, no studies have explored support available to family carers of adults with LDs using social network mapping. The aim of this project is, therefore, to undertake social network mapping with family carers to explore the nature and value of support available from within these networks (e.g. from friends, family, social care providers, charity sector etc). Gaining a better understanding of the support different network types offer family carers, will help identify those networks which offer the least support and therefore highlight unmet support needs.
Understanding how these different network types support families and where gaps in support exist, will aid planning of service support and help identify those families who may be moving towards more intensive and costly intervention should their needs not be addressed (e.g. a crisis out of home move arising for an adult with LD due to caregiver burnout).
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/HRA/0265
Date of REC Opinion
4 May 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion