Local authorities now have a duty to assess the needs of carers, independently of the community care assessments already available to disabled people themselves. This duty was introduced by the Carers and Disabled Children's Act (2000).

Even if the person you are caring for does not want an assessment, you can ask for your own, as it will enable you to tell the social services department about your situation, and to find out about services that might make caring easier for you.

Although you may be charged for services, you may be entitled to a direct payment to allow you to organise the service yourself, or vouchers to help you pay for short term breaks (see below).

Contact your social services department to ask for an assessment. The contact details will be listed in your telephone directory, under 'local authority'.

Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act

What does it mean for you? This Act, which came into force in April 2005, aims to give carers more choice to lead a 'fulfilling' life. It requires local authorities to:

• tell carers about their rights
• consider their wishes for work, education and leisure activities when carrying out carers' assessments
• and work together with health, education and housing agencies locally to better support carers.

 

Carers and Their Rights - online version.pdf
This useful publication, produced by Carers UK and written by Luke Clements, an expert in community care law, summarises carers rights. This version is best viewed online.

Carers and Their Rights.pdf
This version of the publication is larger than the one above and is more suited for downloading and printing.