Council services
Carers rights
Over the last few years, the enormous contribution of carers has been increasingly recognised and various pieces of legislation have passed through Parliament giving carers rights. The aim of these rights is to support carers in their caring role, allow carers to take up life opportunities like everyone else and to prevent caring taking a toll on the carers’ health.
Legislation
The main legislation is:
| Legislation | Information |
Carers - Recognition and Services - Act 1995 | The Carers - Recognition and Services - Act 1995 requires social service departments to assess the ability of any person caring for a client who receives community care services. Services may be provided for the cared for person that allows the carer to take a break. Local authorities were not required to provide services to the carer. |
The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 | The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 gives councils the power to supply certain services direct to carers following an assessment. This power involves a right to a carer's assessment even where the person cared for has refused an assessment for community care services or refused the provision of services. |
The Employment Act 2002 | The Employment Act 2002 gives working parents of disabled children under 18 the right to request flexible working arrangements. Carers also have the right to take, unpaid, time off work for dependants in cases of emergency. |
Carers - Equal Opportunities - Act 2004 | The act ensures that carers will be able to take up opportunities that those without caring responsibilities take for granted. The main points are:
|
