Accessing adult social care: ethnic minority communities
People from ethnic minority communities across our county have shared their experiences of adult social care, highlighting gaps in access, concerns about cultural understanding, and what would make support easier to use.
North Yorkshire Council asked Healthwatch to gather people’s experiences to help shape improvements to adult social care and build a clearer picture of how it works for people from different backgrounds across North Yorkshire.
Read the full report:
“If people do not understand how social care works, or feel it is not for them, they are less likely to ask for help. Getting this right means people can access support earlier and feel more confident about the care they receive.”
Who we heard from
Healthwatch spoke to a wide range of people across the county, including people from backgrounds such as Syrian, Pakistani, Bengali, Polish, Romanian, Afghan, Nigerian, Chinese and Nepalese communities, among others. We also heard from people supporting family members and those working closely with communities.
We heard from people in Selby, Skipton, Harrogate, Catterick, Richmond, Scarborough and Northallerton, where some communities told us they do not always feel included in conversations about their care.
Why we carried out this work
North Yorkshire has a small but growing ethnic minority population. Around 6.7% of people in the county are from an ethnic minority background, with communities spread across a large and often rural area.
At the same time, fewer people from these communities are coming forward for adult social care compared to the overall population.
To help guide this work, we focused on two key areas:
- the support people and their communities rely on to stay well
- experiences of getting help, including what works well and what challenges they have faced
This matters because if people cannot access support early, their needs can become more serious and harder to manage.
What people told us
We heard a mix of experiences. Some people described good, respectful care that took account of their culture and beliefs.
But many people also told us about barriers that make it harder to access support.
Read the full report:
People often rely on family and community first
Many people said they turn to family, friends or faith groups for help before considering formal care.
For some, this works well. But for others, it can become difficult to sustain. People spoke about trying to balance caring responsibilities with work, family life and their own wellbeing. Some described using annual leave from work to provide care, leaving little time to rest or look after themselves.
“People are more likely to ask for help when they hear about it from someone they trust or in a place they feel comfortable. Community groups play a big role in making that happen.”
Language and understanding can be a barrier
Some people said:
- they did not know what adult social care is or how to access it
- information is not always available in their language
- it can be difficult to explain needs or understand what help is available
For some, language barriers affected confidence as well as understanding. One person told us they contacted someone for help instead of calling an ambulance because they were not confident speaking English.
“It is not just about having support available, it is about understanding how to access it. If information is not clear or in the right language, people can feel lost before they even begin.”
Concerns about whether care will respect culture and religion
People told us they worry about:
- food, including religious dietary requirements
- whether care will respect prayer or religious practices
- language and communication
- mixed gender care
These concerns were not just theoretical. For some people, they were significant enough to shape real decisions about care, with some saying they would avoid support altogether if they felt their needs would not be understood or respected.
“If care does not reflect your culture or beliefs, it can feel like it is not for you. Things like food, prayer and who is providing care really matter, and if those are not understood, people may choose not to use support at all.”
Fear, stigma and trust also play a role
Some people described:
- stigma around dementia and mental health in their communities
- a strong expectation that families should provide care
- fear or mistrust of those offering care and support, sometimes linked to past experiences
In some cases, this meant people delayed asking for help or avoided social care entirely, even when support could have made a difference.
“In some communities, there is stigma around conditions like dementia and mental health, alongside an expectation that families should manage care on their own. This can make people reluctant to seek support from social care, even when it could help.”
What would make a difference
People were clear about what would help improve access and experiences:
- care that respects culture, religion and personal preferences
- information that is clear, simple and available in different languages
- staff who understand different communities
- more care workers from a wider range of backgrounds
- better use of interpreters and translation
- information shared in trusted places like community groups and faith settings
- real life examples of good care to build trust and confidence
“When care is easy to understand and respects people’s background and beliefs, it makes a real difference. It helps people feel seen, supported and more willing to ask for help.”
What happens next
North Yorkshire Council has responded to our report and set out how it plans to improve adult social care so it works better for people from different backgrounds.
The council says it is already taking action and developing a clear plan based on what people told us.
Key areas of focus include:
- Improving how information is shared, including making it available in different languages and formats
- Supporting staff to better understand different cultures and communities
- Sharing positive examples of care to build trust and confidence
- Working more closely with community groups and faith settings
This includes building on existing work that is already making a difference. For example, the Swift programme, supports people who have moved to North Yorkshire by providing information, advice and connections to local services and community groups.
The council is also reviewing what is already in place and how services can be better joined up, while continuing to work with local organisations and communities.
"North Yorkshire Council welcomes this Healthwatch report and the experiences people have shared.
We are already taking action based on the recommendations and want to work with communities and other organisations to keep improving how care is provided.”
Healthwatch North Yorkshire will continue to share what people tell us and follow how care is improving, to help make sure people’s experiences lead to real change.
