The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004
The Carers (Equal Opportunities Act) Act 2004 received
Royal Assent on 22nd July 2004 and the Act came into force on 1st
April 2005.
The Act made three main changes to the existing law around
carers services.
- Section 1 places a duty on councils to inform carers, in
certain circumstances, of their right to an assessment of their
needs.
- Section 2 provides that when assessing a carer's needs,
councils must take into account whether the carer works or wishes
to work, undertakes or wishes to undertake education, training or
leisure activities.
- Section 3 facilitates co-operation between authorities in
relation to the provision of services that are relevant to
carers.
Policy Guidance for the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act
2004
The Department of Health closed the consultation period on the
content of policy guidance to accompany the Act in March 2005. The
final policy guidance Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 and
Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 Combined Policy Guidance was
published in August 2005.
Practice guidance for the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act
2004
The Social Care Institute for Excellence has developed practice
guidance to accompany the Carers Act 2004.
Commencement for Wales
The Assembly is responsible for commencing the Carers (Equal
Opportunities) 2004 Act as respects Wales. The Assembly aims to
commence the Act on 18th April 2005.