Supporting black and minority ethnic carers

Key Messages 1 Being a carer is very common. Irrespective of their ethnic or cultural background, carers play a vital role in supporting others with disability or illness, frequently extending how long those they care for can remain at home. 2 Carers save the economy an enormous amount of money but often at significant cost to themselves both to their well-being and in financial terms. As a result, carers themselves often need support. 3 The experiences of black and minority ethnic carers are frequently different and may be more challenging than those of white carers. 4 Black and minority ethnic carers are not only less likely to access services but may also find services less satisfactory than white carers. 5 The effect of personalisation and the Care Act (2014) on black and minority ethnic carers remains unclear. 6 Evidence for the effectiveness of supportive interventions for carers in general is disappointing and evidence of their impact specifically on black and minority ethnic carers is hard to find.