Carers' rights - the Care Act 2014
A carer is someone who helps another person, usually a relative or friend, in their day-to-day life. This is not the same as someone who provides care professionally or through a voluntary organisation.
The Care Act 2014 sets out carers' legal rights to assessment and support. The Care Act relates mostly to adult carers – people aged 18 and over who are caring for another adult. This is because young carers (aged under 18) and adults who care for disabled children can be assessed and supported under children's law.
Previously, carers didn't have a legal right to receive support, although local authorities could provide support at their discretion. This meant that the ability to have an assessment and access a range of support varied depending on where you lived.
The Care Act gives local authorities a responsibility to assess a carer's need for support, where the carer appears to have such needs. This replaced the law which said the carer must be providing "a substantial amount of care on a regular basis" to qualify for an assessment.
This means more carers are now able to have an assessment. The local authority will assess whether the carer has needs and what those needs may be. This assessment will consider the impact of caring on the carer.
It will also consider the things a carer wants to achieve in their own day-to-day life. It must also consider other important issues, such as whether the carer is able or willing to carry on caring, whether they work or want to work, and whether they want to study or do more socially.
If both the carer and the person they care for agree, a combined assessment of both their needs can be undertaken.
Click here for more information on the carer's assessment.
NHS Choices has a web page on Social care and support guide
The department of health has released a factsheet on the care act for carers.
Carers UK have produced a FAQ about changes the Care Act introduces and how it may mean for you.
Useful websites and more information
Carers Bucks exists entirely to support and promote the wellbeing of family carers. They support carers of all ages and in different caring roles, including young carers, parents of children with a physical or learning disability, older carers, carers from the black and minority ethnic community and those looking after someone with mental health problems, including depression.
www.carersbucks.org
Tel: 0300 777 2722
Carers Direct helpline - You can call the Carers Direct helpline if you need help with your caring role and want to talk to someone about what options are available to you.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/Pages/carers-direct-helpline.aspx
Tel: 0300 123 1053
Carers UK - Provide free expert advice, information and support.
ww.carersuk.org
Tel: 0808 808 7777
Carers allowance online service - You may be entitled to a carers allowance from the government.
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/overview
DirectGov - Explains the benefits and support you may get if you are caring for someone who is ill or severely disabled
www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-carers-leaflet
Carers Trust - Carers Trust is a major new charity for, with and about carers. They work to improve support, services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems.
www.carers.org
Skills for Care - More aimed at support for professional carers, but the site has a lot of information that may be of interest.
www.skillsforcare.org.uk