Identifying carers at risk of breakdown using joined up data and AI
Preventing carer breakdown in a County Council
CASE STUDY
Preventing carer breakdown in a County Council
Spotlight on: Identifying carers at risk of breakdown using joined up data and AI Unpaid carers play a vital role. In this council there are 92,000 carers, and 2% of the county’s population care for 50 hours or more. A survey conducted by a local carer support service found that as a result of caring: 52% of carers said they felt more anxious 60% of carers said they felt more stressed 1 in 3 carers said they have had or have been close to a carer breakdown. When caring arrangements break down there can be profound consequences for both the carer and the person they’re caring for. To best support carers and avoid breakdown, the council needed a way to identify carers most at risk. Xantura’s OneView platform is being used to join up data from across services and bring visibility to previously unknown unpaid carers. It provides an in- depth and holistic understanding of their circumstances – including the nature of their caring relationship and risk factors. Using advanced analytics and machine learning, and with 65% precision in predicting a future carer breakdown, the council can now intervene early to ensure that carers are being supported. Outreach is delivered through a local carer support service, and ranges from practical advice to emotional wellbeing checks.
The challenge Like many local authorities, this council has been facing significant pressures in the delivery of adult social care. Demand for support is rising, driven by an ageing population, increasing complexity of need, and they are specifically seeing a growing number of unpaid carers reaching crisis point. Despite a strong ambition to innovate and become more preventative, the adult social care service in this county was stuck in a cycle of reacting to presenting demand. In 2023, the Council commissioned Newton to conduct a diagnostic review which showed that they could improve outcomes for residents, an opportunity worth £24.8m in annualised savings. One aspect of this involved taking a targeted approach to preventing carer breakdown.
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OUTCOMES
receiving reablement are achieving independence on average three days faster, and annual reviews for adults with learning disabilities now result in outcomes that are 24% more independent. Staff are also benefitting from clearer processes, supported by an improved data and performance infrastructure. Financially, the service is on track to achieve £24.8 million in savings. The council has become a thought leader in prevention, adopting new ways of thinking and working that directly align with its strategic priorities: supporting those most in need, and innovating service delivery to make the best use of scarce resources.
The results have been powerful. Hundreds of carers have been contacted and are being supported through the new service. This is resulting in a 27% improvement in feelings of resilience and a 25% increase in wellbeing. For many, a conversation and timely support have helped them feel more resilient, allowing them to continue caring safely and confidently, potentially delaying or avoiding a breakdown. This not only improves outcomes for residents but also reduces demand on statutory services. The wider adult social care transformation programme, of which this was part of, has enabled this County Council to support more residents to maintain, and regain independence. For example, residents
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CONTACT US
Ric Whalley Partner
E: ric.whalley@newtonimpact.com
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