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February 18, 2026
Informal care plays a vital role in the UK health and social care system, referring to the unpaid support provided by family members, friends, or neighbours to help individuals manage illness, disability, mental health conditions, or age-related needs, and in health and social care it represents the everyday physical, emotional, and practical assistance that enables people to live safely, independently, and with dignity alongside formal care services.
Care is not delivered only by trained professionals or care organisations. In reality, a significant amount of care is provided by family members, friends, neighbours, and loved ones who step in to support someone with illness, disability, or age-related needs.
This concept of informal care has a powerful impact on individuals, families, and communities. It is highly relevant not only for those who rely on care but also for anyone considering a career in health and social care, as understanding informal care helps build a more holistic and compassionate approach to support.
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“According to the BMC Public Health cohort study (2021), informal caregiving—defined as unpaid care given to a family member, friend, or neighbour including both emotional and practical help—is common and home‑based, highlighting the need to understand how such care can be provided without increasing caregiver burden (Swedish Psykisk hälsa, Arbete och RelaTioner study, 2021).”
What Is Informal Care?
Informal care refers to unpaid care for someone in need because of illness, disability, mental health issues, or old age. This kind of care is mostly rendered by family, friends, and neighbors rather than professionals.
Unlike formal care, which is arranged through the NHS and social care services, informal care is a natural occurrence in personal relationships. This can be in the form of assisting someone in daily activities, offering emotional support, or just being present when needed.
Some examples of informal care include when a daughter assists her aged mother in shopping, when someone reminds their spouse to take their medication, or when a neighbor checks in on someone living alone. These are some of the most common activities that constitute informal care and are the backbone of health and social care in the UK.
Why is Informal Care Important?
For care recipients, informal care offers comfort, familiarity, and emotional security. Being supported by someone they trust often improves well-being and helps individuals feel more confident and understood in their daily lives.
Families and communities also benefit from informal care. It strengthens relationships, provides emotional fulfilment, and reduces reliance on costly professional services. Informal care often prevents unnecessary hospital admissions or residential care placements.
In the UK, around 5.7 million people are informal carers, according to Carers UK. This statistic highlights the scale and impact of informal care, showing how essential it is to the sustainability of the health and social care system.
Who Is an Informal Carer?
An informal carer is someone who provides unpaid support to a person who cannot manage daily life without help. This support can be occasional or a long-term, daily responsibility.
Informal carers include parents looking after children with disabilities, spouses supporting partners with chronic conditions, adult children assisting ageing parents, or friends and neighbours offering regular help. Young carers who support family members from an early age also fall into this category.
In the UK, informal carers may qualify for recognition and support such as Carer’s Allowance, carers’ assessments, and workplace rights. These measures highlight the crucial role informal carers play in maintaining health, wellbeing, and social care for those in need.
Types of Informal Care
Informal care can take many forms, often combining practical, emotional, and social support to meet the unique needs of the person receiving care. Most carers provide a mix of these types without even realising it.
- Physical Care – Helping with daily personal care tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, moving safely, and managing mobility.
- Emotional Care – Offering reassurance, companionship, encouragement, and support for mental and emotional wellbeing.
- Practical Care – Assisting with household chores, shopping, finances, transport, and attending appointments to keep daily life running smoothly.
- Social Care – Supporting social interaction, maintaining relationships, encouraging community involvement, and reducing loneliness.
Together, these types of informal care help individuals live with dignity, independence, and a better quality of life.
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The Role of Informal Caregivers
Informal caregivers play a wide-ranging role that often evolves over time as care needs change. Their involvement is central to day-to-day support.
- Daily Tasks – Helping with routines such as meals, personal hygiene, and household management.
- Health Support – Monitoring health changes, reminding about medication, and communicating with healthcare professionals.
- Emotional Care – Listening, motivating, offering reassurance, and reducing loneliness or isolation.
- Coordination – Organising appointments, managing paperwork, and linking with formal care services when needed.
This role requires commitment, flexibility, and emotional resilience, making informal caregivers essential partners in health and social care.
Informal vs Formal Care
| Aspect | Informal Care | Formal Care |
|---|---|---|
|
Provider |
Family, friends, neighbours |
Paid professionals |
|
Setting |
Home or community |
Care facilities or home visits |
|
Regulation |
Unregulated |
Regulated and licensed |
|
Payment |
Usually unpaid |
Paid service |
|
Scope |
Flexible and personal |
Structured and professional |
How Widespread Is Informal Care?
Informal care is more common than many people realise, affecting millions of lives across the UK. Most adults will either provide or receive informal care at some point, showing just how essential it is to our communities.
According to recent data, around 5.4 million people in the UK provided informal care in 2023/24, with women making up approximately 60% of carers. Adults aged 55–59 are the most active carers—nearly 20% of women and 13% of men in this age group provide unpaid support. Young carers are also significant, with about 120,000 under-18s (around 1.4% of that age group) offering care in England in 2021.
Many carers balance their duties with employment. In 2022/23, over half of adult carers were in paid work, slightly lower than the general adult employment rate (51% vs 60%). Informal carers, particularly those aged 16–34, are also twice as likely to report poor health, reflecting the challenges of unpaid caregiving.
Summary Table: Informal Care by Demographics
| Group | Share of Informal Carers |
|---|---|
|
Women vs Men |
~60% women, ~40% men |
|
Age 55–59 |
~20% of women, ~13% of men |
|
Young carers (<18) |
~1.4% (≈120,000 in UK) |
|
Employment (carers ≥16) |
~51% in work vs ~60% of all adults |
|
Health risks (16–34) |
~2× more likely to report poor health |
This data highlights the scale and diversity of informal care in the UK, emphasizing why recognition, support, and tailored services for carers are crucial.
Why Informal Care Matters in Health and Social Care
Informal care is a fundamental part of the wider health and social care framework. Without it, formal services would struggle to meet rising demand.
It complements professional care by providing continuity, emotional understanding, and personalised support that cannot always be delivered through structured services alone.
Most importantly, informal care emphasises human connection. It ensures care is not just about treatment, but about compassion, relationships, and dignity.
Advantages of Informal Care in Health and Social Care
You might wonder why informal care is so important. The truth is, it provides benefits that professional care can’t always match. Here’s how it makes a difference:
For Care Receivers:
- Familiar comfort: Being cared for at home reduces stress and confusion.
- Personalised attention: Loved ones understand preferences better than any professional.
- Emotional security: Trusted family and friends provide companionship and reassurance.
- Better wellbeing: Individuals often feel happier, safer, and more independent.
For Care Receivers:
- Cost savings: Avoids expensive care homes or constant professional care.
- Peace of mind: Knowing your loved one is being cared for by someone they trust.
- Stronger bonds: Caregiving strengthens relationships and family connections.
- Flexibility: Routines can be adjusted to fit everyone’s needs.
For Care Receivers:
- Reduces healthcare costs: Less strain on NHS and social care services.
- Frees up resources: Professional carers can focus on the most urgent cases.
- Community support: Neighbours and friends helping each other strengthens communities.
- Cultural continuity: Maintains family and community care traditions.
Of course, informal care comes with challenges too. Next, we’ll explore what makes this essential role demanding and complex.
Final Thoughts
Informal care is the unpaid, often unseen support that underpins health and social care in the UK. It plays a critical role in maintaining well-being, independence, and dignity for millions of people.
As demand for care continues to rise, informal care will become even more significant within the health and social care system. Recognising and valuing carers is essential for sustainable care delivery.
Greater awareness, education, and support can empower informal carers and those entering health and social care careers. Learning more about care roles or supporting carers helps strengthen communities and improve lives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is considered informal care?
Informal care is unpaid support provided to someone who cannot manage daily life independently, often due to illness, disability, mental health conditions, or ageing. It includes help with personal care, household tasks, emotional support, and social interaction.
Who can become an informal carer?
Anyone can be an informal carer—family members, partners, adult children, friends, neighbours, or young carers—who provide regular assistance without formal training or payment.
Is informal care recognised by the NHS?
Yes, the NHS recognises informal carers and offers support such as Carer’s Assessments, advice, and access to resources. Carers may also receive financial help like Carer’s Allowance.
How is informal care different from formal care?
Formal care is provided by trained professionals through health or social care services, often under a contract. Informal care is unpaid, usually given by someone with a personal connection, and focuses on flexible, personalised support.
Can informal carers get support or training?
Yes, carers can access local council support, NHS guidance, online training, workshops, and community programmes to develop skills and improve care delivery.
What types of support can informal carers provide?
Informal carers can provide physical care, emotional support, practical help with daily living, and social engagement to improve wellbeing and independence.
How does informal care affect carers’ mental health?
While rewarding, informal care can be stressful, leading to fatigue, anxiety, or social isolation. Support networks, respite breaks, and professional guidance can reduce these risks.
Are there legal rights for informal carers in the UK?
Yes, informal carers have legal rights including workplace protection, access to carers’ assessments, and eligibility for benefits like Carer’s Allowance.
Can informal care be included in care planning?
Absolutely. Informal carers are often considered part of a person’s care team, contributing to care plans, assessments, and decisions alongside professionals.
How is informal care measured or valued in the health system?
Informal care is measured through hours of support, type of tasks performed, and impact on wellbeing. Its value is recognised as a significant contribution to health and social care delivery.
What is the most common type of informal care?
Physical care, such as helping with bathing, dressing, medication, and mobility, is among the most common forms, though many carers combine it with emotional and practical support.
What are the effects of informal care?
Informal care improves independence, emotional wellbeing, and quality of life for care recipients while providing satisfaction and purpose for carers, though it can also create stress and time pressures.
What are the disadvantages of informal care?
Challenges include physical and emotional strain, limited financial support, lack of formal training, and the risk of caregiver burnout.
What are the problems with informal groups?
Informal caregiving groups may face coordination issues, inconsistent care standards, and limited access to professional guidance or resources.
What are the advantages of informal structure?
Informal care is flexible, personalised, cost-effective, and culturally sensitive. It strengthens family bonds, community ties, and provides care in a familiar and comfortable environment.
Robert Lawrence
Author | Specialises in Health and Social Care
Robert Lawrence is an e-learning specialist and tutor at Training Express, with experience creating practical resources and strategies to support learners and enhance their professional development.
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