Carers’ Rights

The Care Act 2014

The Care Act 2014 is about adults with care and support needs, and those who care for them. 

Under the Act, anyone who a local council thinks might need care and support is entitled to a needs assessment, which must be provided free of charge. The assessment is usually carried out by a social worker, or sometimes an occupational therapist, and results in a care and support plan being drafted. The plan should, where possible, be produced with the input and agreement of the person needing care.

The Care Act 2014 recognises the equal importance of supporting carers and the people they care for. It gives all parties the right to support from their local authority. A Carer’s Assessment should look at all your needs, including the things you would like to be able to do in your daily life.

A carer is someone of any age who provides care to someone who:

  • Has a physical disability
  • Has a sensory impairment
  • Has a learning difficulty 
  • Has mental health support needs 
  • Has problems with drug or alcohol misuse  
  • Has a long term or chronic illness 
  • Is an older person who is physically or mentally frail 

……..or any combination of the above.

Get help with carer’s rights

This is our collection of useful links to information and resources about carer’s rights and legal issues.

Carers Trust

The Carers Trust website has a whole section dedicated to legal and carers rights.

You will find practical information on the following topics:

Making a will

Lasting Power of Attorney

Complaints and advocacy

Avoiding scams and fraud

Becoming a Deputy

Young carers and young adult carers know your rights

Carers and the law

Legal guide to dealing with dementia

Helping someone else manage their money

See also their special page describing carers’ human rights which should help you to understand how human rights relates to your caring role.

Carers UK

The Carers UK website has a page explaining your rights as a carer at work.

ACAS

The ACAS website has a comprehensive page of information concerning your rights as a carer while working.

NHS website; legal rights for young carers

The NHS has a page of useful information on the legal rights of young carers.

Mind

The charity, Mind, have a page describing carers’ social care rights.

Disability Rights

The Disability Rights website provides lots of information concerning the assessment process for carers under the Care Act.

Carers Direct

You can always ask for help with your rights as a carer from the Carers Direct helpline.

We are here to help

Please email us or phone us to book a 1-2-1 appointment for carers in the Luton area.

Call us on 0300303 0201 or email us.

Our highly experienced advisors are here to help you find a solution.

Book an appointment

For more in-depth issues you can speak face-to-face to our carer support workers, Lorraine and Levi. Please phone us to make an appointment or email us.

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We are here to help unpaid carers across Luton

We are open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 10am to 4pm, and on Tuesdays from 10am to 7pm.

Call: 0300 303 0201

Email: carerscentral@drcbeds.org.uk

We are open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

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