Carers’ rights in law
The Care Act 2014 governs the rights of adult unpaid carers and adults with care and support needs.
- Gives unpaid carers the legal right to recognition and support.
- Clarifies that carers have the right to choose whether to take on or continue an unpaid caring role.
- Grants unpaid carers the right to request a ‘Carer’s Assessment’ from the local authority and have ‘eligible needs’ met.
- General duty placed on local authority to promote a person’s wellbeing.
The Children and Families Act 2014 covers young carers, children with care and support needs and adult carers for children with additional needs.
- Expands the definition of ‘young carer’ to cover children who may provide care for somebody in the future:
- ‘A person, under the age of 18, who provides, or intends to provide, care for another person.’
- Requirement for NHS bodies to cooperate with local authorities regarding duties to carers and young carers.
- Grants young carers and parent carers the right to an assessment of their own needs. Requires local authorities to take ‘reasonable steps’ to proactively identify young carers.
To find out more information on The Care Act 2014 and The Children and Families Act 2014: