KEY POINTS

• For those who provide unpaid care, particularly at higher intensities, there is substantial evidence of negative effects on employment, health and wellbeing, with associated individual and societal costs.
• There are significant gaps in the evidence with regards to interventions to support carers, outcomes and types of caring situation studied, with a lack of evidence on cost-effectiveness and few evaluations of key recent policy initiatives.
• Evidence is strongest and most consistent for formal care services for people with care needs; flexible working conditions; psychological therapy, training and education interventions; and support groups. It may be that a combination of interventions is most effective.