This document provides information about a research study examining how adults and older people pay for their own care and support. The study is being conducted by Breakthrough UK Ltd and ekosgen to gather information about self-funded care arrangements and experiences. Participants in the study will take part in a telephone or in-person interview, focus group, or online/paper survey. All information collected will be kept confidential and used to write a report on the findings to help organizations that support self-funded care.

1. St James House
Vicar Lane
Sheffield
S1 2EX
Tel: 0845 644 5407
Email: sheffield@ekosgen.co.uk
The workforce implications of adults and older people who
self-fund and employ their own care and support workers
Information about the research
We would like to invite you to take part in our research study.
Before you decide we would like you to understand why the
research is being undertaken and what it would involve for you.
One of our research team will go through this information sheet
with you and answer any questions you have. Please contact us
using the details below if anything is not clear.
Why is the research taking place?
The research is needed to gather information about how people
pay for their care and the types of care and support services they
receive. We’re interested in finding out what support you’ve had to
date and how you have found it. We are also interested in whether
people who pay for their own care think they would benefit from
more assistance or guidance in their role as an employer.
Why have I been invited to take part?
We would like to speak with people who pay for all or part of their
care using their own money or savings.
Do I have to take part?
It is up to you to decide to take part in the research. We will
describe the study and go through this information sheet with you.
If you agree to take part, we will then ask you to sign a consent
form. Taking part will not affect the care or support you receive.
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Information about the research

2. What is involved in taking part?
We are speaking with participants through one of the following
three different ways: a one-to-one interview on the telephone or
face-to-face, a focus group discussion and a survey, either on
paper or via the internet. You will only need to participate in one of
these.
How will my information be recorded?
A researcher will take a note of your comments during the
interview or focus group. These may be recoded with your
permission. If you complete a survey online or on paper, the
responses will be stored in electronic format. All information
collected will be stored securely.
What will happen if I don’t want to carry on with the study?
You are free to withdraw at any time, without giving a reason.
Please contact the research team using the details below to
withdraw from the study. If you choose to withdraw, none of the
information you have provided will be used in the research.
Will my taking part in this study be kept confidential?
By confidential we mean that we will not tell anyone that you have
taken part in the study. Everything you say as part of the research
is confidential unless you tell us something that indicates you or
someone else are at risk of harm. We would discuss this with you
before telling anyone else.
What will happen to the findings?
The findings will be written up into a research report that will be
published on Skills for Care website and available through local
organisations.
Who is funding the study?
This study is being funded by Skills for Care. Skills for Care is an
independent registered charity working to develop the skills and
knowledge of workers providing care and support.
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Information about the research

3. Who has reviewed the study?
This study has been reviewed and given a favourable opinion by
the Social Care Research Ethics Committee. A Research Ethics
Committee is a group of independent people who review research
to protect the dignity, rights, safety and well-being of participants
and researchers.
Further information and contact details
For further information please contact:
Elaine Astley
Breakthrough UK Ltd
BEVC
Aked Close
Manchester
M12 4AN
Tel: 0161 273 5412
Email: e.astley@breakthrough-uk.co.uk
or
Tim Allan
St James House
Vicar Lane
Sheffield
S1 2EX
Tel: 0845 644 5407
Email: tim.allan@ekosgen.co.uk
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Information about the research

4. If you would like to make a complaint about the study please
contact:
Susan Staiano
Commercial Director
ekosgen
4th Floor
137 Sauchiehall Street
Glasgow
G2 3EW
Tel: 0845 120 6244
Email: susan.staiano@ekosgen.co.uk
Thank you for considering our research project.
We are also interest in speaking with those you or others employ
to provide care and support. Please feel free to pass this
information sheet on as appropriate.
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Information about the research