Your County - Putting Kent First

Kent 4 star Council

Contacts

Adult Services Directorate
Brenchley House
County Hall
Maidstone
Kent ME14 1RF

Telephone icon08458 247 100

Email icon kentcarers @kent.gov.uk

Carers and the Law

Information for the Department of Health regarding the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004

The Carers (Equal Opportunities Act) 2004 Act received Royal Assent on 22nd July 2004 and came into force on 1st April 2005.

Read the full report on the Carers Act 2004


Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004

The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 gives carers more choice and better opportunities to lead a more fulfilling life by ensuring they receive information about their rights under the Carers and Disabled Children 2000 Act. It also ensures that carers assessments consider leisure, training and work activities, and provides for co-operation between local authorities and other bodies, including housing, education and health, particularly in relation to the planning and provision of community care services that are relevant to carers.

Read the covering letter about the Carers Act 2004

Read the policy guidance on the Carers Act 2004 - this link will open in a new window

Read the Carers Act 2004 in full - this link will open in a new window


The Disabled Persons (Services Consultation and Representation) Act 1986

This act highlighted that when assessing a disabled person's needs consideration must be given as to whether the carer is able to care for that person.

Read the Disabled Persons Act 1986 in full - this link will open in a new window.


The NHS and Community Care Act 1990

This act provided a framework of community care procedures and policies as well as establishing support for carers as a national priority.

Read the NHS and Community Care Act 1980 in full - this link will open in a new window.


The Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995

The Carers Act 1995 recognised that the needs of carers may well be different to those of the cared for person and requires local authorities to make a separate assessment of carers' needs.

Read the Carers (Recongition and Services) Act 1995 in full - this link will open in a new window


The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000

The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 gives local councils the power to supply certain services direct to carers following an assessment. This power involves a new right to a carers assessment for carers providing 'regular' and 'substantial' care even when the cared for person has refused an assessment for, or the provision of, community care services. It extends Direct Payments to carers, to 16 and 17 year old disabled children and to parent carers.

Read the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 in full - this link will open in a new window

Copyright Kent County Council 2008