‘I sat on the commode’: The great carer assessment divide: A photovoice study of carer assessments under the Care Act 2014

Abstract This article explores how unpaid carers experience the carer assessment process under the Care Act 2014 (CA14), a broad piece of English legislation aimed at supporting adults with social care needs and their carers. Using photovoice and Reflexive Thematic Analysis, the lived experiences of twenty-one carers are illuminated, revealing emotional and procedural divisions between them and the assessment process. Carers often found the system bureaucratic, alienating, and unsupportive, with an overemphasis on financial resources rather than addressing their broader needs. The analysis highlights the theme ‘The Great Carer Assessment Divide’, emphasizing the significant disconnection between carers and the assessment experience. Building on this insight, the article proposes a more holistic, creative approach through self-assessments, offering carers greater control and agency within the CA14 framework. The analysis contributes to ongoing debates about carer support, the influence of neoliberalism on social care practices and social care reforms.