Carers and the Law
Information for the Department of Health regarding the Carers
(Equal Opportunities) Act 2004
Carers Act 2004
The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 Act received
Royal Assent on 22nd July 2004 and came into force on 1st April
2005.
The Carers 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.
The Disabled Persons Act 1986
This act 1986 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.
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.
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.
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.