Supporting carers to care in a crisis: an analysis of additional service provision essential to carers of people with learning disabilities

Research into how unpaid carers for people with learning disabilities cope with 'crisis' in their lives and the lives of those they care for was commissioned by Gwalia Housing in Wales. Twenty four carers who had experienced a crisis situation were interviewed. Although carers feedback found great variation in carers experience and definitions of crisis, the most frequent theme was that a crisis was something that stopped carers carrying out their duties. Carers were also asked about their experience of services and how they could help in crisis. The article concludes with a number of recommendations for practice.