Survey of Adult Carers in England (SACE)
Measures describe a question asked to a participant during a survey or an item of information requested from a manager when they fill out a data return. For example, ‘Who do you live with?’ is a measure and the possible responses might be, mother, father, brother, sister etc.
| Need/provision/receipt | Description of measure | Start Year | Age range | Age from | Age to | Informant | Multiple rater | Reporting term | Sweep title | Standard instrument | Question/Data item | Response scale | Notes | Physical health measures | Dataset | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provision; | Would carer like to take part in other research | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | We may be asking some people to take part in follow-up research for this study in the next year or so. Would you be happy to be invited to take part in more research? Note that even if you say “yes” there will be no obligation to take part in the future. Please tick (✓) one box |
Yes, I have written my name, address and phone number in the space below |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Why caring info/advice unhelpful | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | If you found the information and advice you received unhelpful, please tell us why and what we can do to make it more helpful for you |
Open text response |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Has carer been consulted as much as they want? | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Past year | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | In the last 12 months, do you feel you have been involved or consulted as much as you wanted to be, in discussions about the support or services provided to the person you care for? |
There have been no discussions that I am aware of, in the last 12 months |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Carer employment status | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | In addition to your caring role, please tell us which of the following also applies to you? Please tick [✓ ] all that apply |
Retired |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Carer employment status | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | Thinking about combining your paid work and caring responsibilities, which of the following statements best describes your current situation? Please tick [✓ ] one box |
Not in paid work: In paid employment: Self-employed: |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | How long carer has been caring | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | About how long have you been looking after or helping the person you care for? Please tick [✓ ] one box |
Less than 6 months |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | How long spent each week caring | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | About how long do you spend each week looking after or helping the person you care for? Please tick [✓ ] one box If other please specify: |
0-9 hours per week |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | What kind of caring activities carer does | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Past year | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | Over the last 12 months, what kinds of things did you usually do for the person you care for? |
Please tick [✓ ] all that apply |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | How many children carer is responsible for | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | How many children aged 18 or under do you have parental responsibility for? |
0 |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Whether someone helped carer complete questionnaire | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | Did someone help you to complete this questionnaire? Please tick [✓ ] one box *Councils may seek further information on the category of person who helped here if they wish – but these should only be categories of person (e.g. relative) and not names. Any expanded categories need to be aggregated back to just an overall ‘yes’ category before entering the results onto the data return. |
Yes |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Age of carer | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | How old are you? |
________________ years |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Gender of carer | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | Are you male or female? Please tick [✓ ] one box *Councils may choose to omit the above question if it can be supplied accurately from their current records. |
Male |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Ethnicity of carer | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | To which of these groups do you consider you belong? Please tick (✓ ) one box |
White: |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Carer - any other experiences - open text | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | Please use the space provided below to describe any other experiences you would like to tell us about, or to write any other comments you would like to make? *The question above is for local use and can be omitted. Councils do not need to return the data to NHS England for this question. |
Large open text box |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Carer's own illnesses/impairments | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | Do you have any of the following? |
A physical impairment or disability |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Carer personal safety | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | Thinking about your personal safety, which of the statements best describes your present situation? |
I have no worries about my personal safety |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Carer time to look after themselves | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | Thinking about how much time you have to look after yourself – in terms of getting enough sleep or eating well – which statement best describes your present situation? |
I look after myself |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Carer control over daily life | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | Which of the following statements best describes how much control you have over your daily life? |
I have as much control over my daily life as I want |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | If carer can spend time doing things they want to do | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | Which of the following statements best describes how you spend your time? |
I’m able to spend my time as I want, doing things I value or enjoy |
SACE | |||
| Receipt; | Use of carer support services | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Past year | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | Have you used any of the support or services listed below, to help you as a carer over the last 12 months? |
a. Information and advice |
SACE | |||
| Receipt; | Person cared for's use of support services | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Past year | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | Has the person you care for used any of the support or services listed below in the last 12 months? a. Support or services allowing you to take a break from caring at short notice or in an emergency *It is possible for councils to add options to question 6 above for local use such as advocacy for carers, help with household tasks and gardening and practical help to complete forms. Additional responses for question 6 should be sent to NHS England for their information using the additional question form. Responses to any additional options should not be returned to NHS England. |
For each support or service listed: |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Satisfaction with carer support | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Past year | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the support or services you and the person you care for have received from Social Services in the last 12 months? |
We haven’t received any support or services from Social Services in the last 12 months |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Where person cared for lives | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | Where does the person you care for usually live? |
With me |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Conditions/diseases of person cared for | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | Does the person you care for have….? |
Dementia |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Age of person cared for | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | How old is the person you care for? |
_____________years |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Carer personal safety - open text | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | If you have said you are extremely worried about your personal safety, can you please tell us why? *Responses obtained should not be returned to NHS England |
Open text response |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Carer social contact | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | Thinking about how much social contact you’ve had with people you like, which of the following statements best describes your social situation? |
I have as much social contact as I want with people I like |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Carer encouragement and support | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | Thinking about encouragement and support in your caring role, which of the following statements best describes your present situation? |
I feel I have encouragement and support |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | If carer has time for caring | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | Thinking about the other people you have caring responsibilities for, which of the following best describes your current situation? Please exclude the person you spend most time helping. |
I don’t have caring responsibilities for anyone else |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Health effects of caring on carer | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Past year | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | In the last 12 months, has your health been affected by your caring role in any of the ways listed below? Please tick [✓ ] all that apply |
Feeling tired |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Financial difficulties for carer from caring | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Past year | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | In the last 12 months, has caring caused you any financial difficulties? |
No, not at all |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | How often carer feels lonely | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | How often do you feel lonely? |
Often or always |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Ease of finding information about caring role | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Past year | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | In the last 12 months, have you found it easy or difficult to find information and advice about support, services or benefits? Please include information and advice from different sources, such as voluntary organisations and private agencies as well as Social Services. |
I have not tried to find information or advice in the last 12 months |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Why carer info is difficult to find | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Current | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | If you found it difficult to find information and advice, please tell us why and what we can do to make it easier for you *The “please tell us why” box is optional. Responses obtained should not be returned to NHS England |
Open text response |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | How helpful was caring advice/info | 2023 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Participant | No | Past year | Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2023-24 | No | In the last 12 months, how helpful has the information and advice you have received been? Please include information and advice from different organisations, such as voluntary organisations and private agencies as well as Social Services. |
I have not received any information or advice in the last 12 months |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Opportunity for carer to share other experiences | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Please use the space provided below to describe any other experiences you would like to tell us about, or to write any other comments you would like to make? [The question above is for local use and can be omitted. Councils do not need to return the data to NHS Digital for this question.] |
Open response question |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Was carer consulted during COVID-19 pandemic | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Thinking about your experiences during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, did you feel you were involved or consulted as much as you wanted to be, in discussions about the support or services provided to the person you care for? |
There were no discussions that I am aware of, during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Combining paid work and caring | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Thinking about combining your paid work and caring responsibilities, which of the following statements best describes your current situation? |
Please tick one box: Not in paid work: In paid employment: Self-employed: |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Length of time been a carer | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | About how long have you been looking after or helping the person you care for? |
Less than 6 months |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Time each week spent caring | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | About how long do you spend each week looking after or helping the person you care for? |
Please tick one box: |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Caring activities | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Past year | Sweep 2021 | No | Over the last 12 months, what kinds of things did you usually do for the person you care for? |
Please tick all that apply: |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Carer's own disabilities/diseases | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Do you have any of the following? |
A physical impairment or disability |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Age of carer | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | How old are you? |
Age in years |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Gender of carer | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Are you male or female? |
Male |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Number of children carer has aged 18 or under | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | How many children aged 18 or under do you have parental responsibility for? |
0 |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Carer ethnicity | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | To which of these groups do you consider you belong? |
Please tick one box: White: Mixed / multiple ethnic groups: Asian / Asian British: Black / African / Caribbean / Black British: Other ethnic group: Prefer not to say |
SACE | |||
| Receipt; | Help completing questionnaire | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Did someone help you to complete this questionnaire? |
Please tick one box: |
SACE | |||
| Receipt; | Carer's support during the COVID-19 pandemic | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Thinking about your experiences during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the support or services you and the person you care for have received from Social Services? |
Please tick one box: |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Carer's social contact during COVID-19 pandemic | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Thinking about how much social contact you had with people you like during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which of the following statements best describes your social situation during this time? |
I had as much social contact as I want with people I like |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Carer's personal safety during COVID-19 pandemic | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Thinking about your personal safety during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which of the statements best describes how you felt during this time? By ‘personal safety’ we mean feeling safe from fear of abuse, being attacked or other physical harm. We do not mean feeling safe from fear of contracting coronavirus. |
I had no worries about my personal safety |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Diseases/disabilities of person being cared for | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Does the person you care for have….? |
Dementia |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Does person being cared for live with carer | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Where does the person you care for usually live? |
With me |
SACE | |||
| Receipt; | Carer satisfaction with services received | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the support or services you and the person you care for have received from Social Services in the last 12 months? |
We haven’t received any support or services from Social Services in the last 12 months |
SACE | |||
| Provision;Receipt; | Use of services by person being cared for | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Has the person you care for used any of the support or services listed below in the last 12 months? They may be provided by different organisations, such as a voluntary organisation, a private agency or Social Services. a. Support or services allowing you to take a break from caring at short notice or in an emergency b. Support or services allowing you to take a break from caring for more than 24 hours c. Support or services to allow you to have a rest from caring for between 1 and 24 hours (eg. a sitting service) d. Personal assistant e. Home care/home help f. Day centre or day activities g. Lunch club h. Meals Services i. Equipment or adaptation to their home (such as a wheelchair or handrails) j. Lifeline Alarm k. They are permanently resident in a care home [It is possible for councils to add options to question 5 above for local use such as supported employment or special college. Responses to any additional options should not be returned to NHS Digital] |
For each data item: |
SACE | |||
| Receipt; | Carer's use of support services | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Have you used any of the support or services listed below, to help you as a carer over the last 12 months? They may be provided by different organisations, such as a voluntary organisation, a private agency or Social Services. Please do not include any unpaid help from family and friends. a. Information and advice [It is possible for councils to add options to question 6 above for local use such as advocacy for carers, help with household tasks and gardening and practical help to complete forms. Responses to any additional options should not be returned to NHS Digital] |
Yes |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | How carer spends time | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Which of the following statements best describes how you spend your time? When you are thinking about what you do with your time, please include anything you value or enjoy, including formal employment, voluntary or unpaid work, caring for others and leisure activities. |
I’m able to spend my time as I want, doing things I value or enjoy |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Carer's control over own life | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Which of the following statements best describes how much control you have over your daily life? |
I have as much control over my daily life as I want |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Whether carer looks after themselves | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Thinking about how much time you have to look after yourself – in terms of getting enough sleep or eating well – which statement best describes your present situation? |
I look after myself |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Carer's own personal safety | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Thinking about your personal safety, which of the statements best describes your present situation? |
I have no worries about my personal safety |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Carers' level of social contact | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Thinking about how much social contact you’ve had with people you like, which of the following statements best describes your social situation? |
I have as much social contact as I want with people I like |
SACE | |||
| Receipt; | Carers' encouragement and support | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Thinking about encouragement and support in your caring role, which of the following statements best describes your present situation? |
I feel I have encouragement and support |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Caring responsibilities for multiple people | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | Thinking about the other people you have caring responsibilities for, which of the following best describes your current situation? Please exclude the person you spend most time helping. |
I don’t have caring responsibilities for anyone else |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | How carer health is affected by caring role | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Past year | Sweep 2021 | No | In the last 12 months, has your health been affected by your caring role in any of the ways listed below? |
Please tick all that apply: |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Has caring role caused financial difficulties | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Past year | Sweep 2021 | No | In the last 12 months, has caring caused you any financial difficulties? |
No, not at all |
SACE | |||
| Receipt; | How easy support information is to obtain | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Past year | Sweep 2021 | No | In the last 12 months, have you found it easy or difficult to find information and advice about support, services or benefits? Please include information and advice from different sources, such as voluntary organisations and private agencies as well as Social Services. |
I have not tried to find information or advice in the last 12 months |
SACE | |||
| Receipt; | Why it is hard to find support information | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | If you found it difficult to find information and advice, please tell us why and what we can do to make it easier for you. [The “please tell us why” box is optional. Responses obtained should not be returned to NHS Digital] |
Open response question |
SACE | |||
| Receipt; | How helpful has information been in the last year | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Past year | Sweep 2021 | No | In the last 12 months, how helpful has the information and advice you have received been? Please include information and advice from different organisations, such as voluntary organisations and private agencies as well as Social Services. |
I have not received any information or advice in the last 12 months |
SACE | |||
| Receipt; | How to improve carer's help and advice | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | If you found the information and advice you received unhelpful, please tell us why and what we can do to make it more helpful for you [The “please tell us why” box is optional. Responses obtained should not be returned to NHS Digital] |
Open response question |
SACE | |||
| Receipt; | Has carer been consulted as much as they wanted to be | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | In the last 12 months, do you feel you have been involved or consulted as much as you wanted to be, in discussions about the support or services provided to the person you care for? |
There have been no discussions that I am aware of, in the last 12 months |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Carer's employment status | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | In addition to your caring role, please tell us which of the following also applies to you? |
Please tick all that apply: |
SACE | |||
| Provision; | Age of person being cared for | 2021 | 18-120 | 18 | 120 | Carer | No | Current | Sweep 2021 | No | How old is the person you care for? |
Age in years |
SACE |
Overview
Aims
This national survey takes place every other year and is conducted by Councils with Adult Social Services Responsibilities (CASSRs). The survey seeks the opinions ofcarers aged 18 or over, caring for a person aged 18 or over, on a number of topics that are considered to be indicative of a balanced life alongside their unpaid caring role.
Institution
NHS Digital
Geographic coverage - Nations
England;
Start date
2010
Minimum age at recruitment
18
Sample Size
133,980
Sample
Study design
Repeated cross-sectional study
Sample details
The eligible population includes all informal, unpaid carers aged 18 or over who are known to the council and who are also caring for somebody over the age of 18. The total eligible population for the 2021-22 survey was 322,105, this was an increase from 292,360 in 2018-19. From the eligible population, 133,980 carers were sampled, a total of 43,525 responses were received. In 2018-19, 50,800 responses were received.
Sex
All
Sample Characteristics
Carers
Sample size at most recent sweep
133,980
Data
Data Access
https://digital.nhs.uk/services/data-access-environment-dae
https://digital.nhs.uk/services/data-access-environment-dae
Complementary Data
N/A
Genetic Data Collected
Linked Data
No
HDR UK Innovation Gateway
Additional information
Website
Notes
Related Measures
Study Code
SACE
Reference paper(s)
https://files.digital.nhs.uk/28/2342AD/PSS_SACE_Report_2021-22.pdf
https://files.digital.nhs.uk/28/2342AD/PSS_SACE_Report_2021-22.pdf
Funders
NHSdigital DoHSC