Robards, J., Evandrou, M., Falkingham, J. & Vlachantoni, A. (2014) Complexity Science for the Real World: Models for Real World Policy, Royal Society, London, 25 April 2014 [ONS LS]

Other information:
Poster Presentation

Abstract:

Informal caring has become a key social policy issue in relation to population ageing and expenditure cuts in local services for adult social care. The 2011 and 2001 Censuses included a question on the provision of informal (unpaid) care. Results show that informal caring increased between 2001 and 2011, particularly for those providing more than 20 hours per week. Using a 1% sample of England and Wales 2011 Census records matched to the 2001 responses from the same individuals (the Office for National Statistics Longitudinal Study) we investigate the characteristics of informal carers at 2001 and 2011, and for carers at 2001 identify characteristics associated with repetition of caring at 2011. Results suggest that a greater number of people started caring between 2001 and 2011 than stopped. Characteristics of informal caring at 2001 or 2011 show stability. Around a third of those caring at 2001 were also caring ten years later. Multivariate analyses to predict informal caring at 2011 among the carers at 2001 show those providing 50 hours or more care in 2001 were most likely to be caring at 2011, suggesting that past provision of care is crucial in predicting future caring.

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Output from project: 04010074