This dataset provides 2011 estimates that classify usual residents in United Kingdom by the number of hours of unpaid care they provide. The estimates are as at census day, 27 March 2011.

The provision of unpaid care is a key indicator of care needs and has important implications for the planning and delivery of health and social care services. This information helps local government plan and allocate resources and social services departments to provide support services and advice for carers.

In Scotland this table is numbered QS301SCa.

'Provision of unpaid care' covers looking after, giving help or support to family members, friends, neighbours or others because of long-term physical or mental ill-health/disability, or problems related to old age.

In order to protect against disclosure of personal information from the 2011 Census, there has been swapping of records in the Census database between different geographic areas, and so some counts will be affected. In the main, the greatest effects will be at the lowest geographies, since the record swapping is targeted towards those households with unusual characteristics in small areas.

More details on the ONS Census disclosure control strategy may be found on the http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/census/2011/census-data/2011-census-prospectus/new-developments-for-2011-census-results/statistical-disclosure-control/index.html[Statistical Disclosure Control] page on the ONS web site.