Review of the Implementation of the Northern Ireland Single ...

1.0 Introduction
A carer is defined as “A person who, without payment, provides help and
support to a family member or friend who may not be able to manage without
this help because of frailty, illness or disability.” (Caring for Carers 2006).
Carers provide unpaid care by looking after, a person with disability, illness
or frail family member, friend or partner. These carers enable many
thousands of vulnerable people who need support to continue living in the
community and at the same time complement the input that social services
agencies need to make.
Carers are a very diverse group with an equally diverse range of needs
which often change over time and during the carer‟s experience of caring.
The health and social care system is facing an increasing demand for care
as people are living longer, resulting in a growth in the numbers of older
and more frail people living in the community. These changes have
obvious implications in terms of the demands placed on carers, many of
whom are also getting older. According to recent research published by
Carers UK, „Valuing Carers‟, (Calculating the value of carers‟ support,
2011) there are 207,000 carers in Northern Ireland. Approximately 30,000
people in Northern Ireland care for more than one person.
The DHSSPS commissioned RQIA to undertake a review of the
implementation and impact of the Northern Ireland Single Assessment Tool
(NISAT), across the five Health and Social Care trusts.
This report outlines the findings of the second stage of the NISAT review.
The report focuses on carers within the Older Peoples Programme of Care
and the use of the Carer‟s Support and Needs Assessment Tool, a
component of NISAT.
1.1 Legislative Context
The following key pieces of legislation are relevant to Carers:
There is a more detailed explanation of the legislation in Appendix 1
Health and Personal Social Services (NI) Order 1972 3
Carers and Direct Payments Act (NI) 2002 4
The Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (NI) 2009 5
3 Health and Personal Social Services (NI) Order (HPSSO) 1972
4 Carers and Direct Payments Act (CDPA) (NI) 2002
5 The Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (NI) 2009 (HSCRA)
4