From individualised to collective action: the role of community social work in supporting carers

This article explores the role of Community Social Work (CSW) in supporting unpaid carers through Carer Community Group Activities (CCGA), funded under the preventative duties of the English Care Act 2014 (CA14). Drawing on two empirical studies with carers and commissioners, it examines how CCGA can enhance carers’ resilience, wellbeing, and sense of belonging while identifying barriers created by structural inequalities and commissioning constraints. The analysis shows that while CSW is not yet widely implemented, it aligns strongly with social work values of justice, equality, and social action. Effective CSW requires inclusivity, excellent facilitation, and adaptability to meet carers’ diverse needs in community spaces. Limited CSW training and misallocated resources often restrict CCGA’s potential, particularly in rigid, cost-driven environments. This article advocates for embedding CSW within UK social work education to prepare students for placements and roles fostering community engagement. By integrating CSW skills and core values into the curriculum, social work education can better equip future practitioners to support carers and other marginalized groups. This commitment to CSW reinforces a pathway for social workers to be agents of social action and change through skilled, value-driven facilitation.