My rights as a Carer

Care Act 2014

The Care Act 2014 is law that came into effect in 2015 and describes how people with care needs and their carers should be supported by their Local Authority.

It provides guidelines and priorities to local authorities to make sure that people who live in their areas receive services that:

• Are clear and consistent
• Promotes individual wellbeing
• Aims to prevent, reduce or delay needs for care and support
• Puts individuals in control of their life

Key changes for Carers in the Care Act are:

• Duty to promote well-being including:
  • Work education and training
  • Social and economic wellbeing
  • Personal dignity
  • Physical, mental and emotional health
  • Protection from abuse and neglect
  • Domestic, family and personal relationships
  • Personal control
  • Individual contribution to society
  • Suitability of living arrangements
  • Managing and maintaining nutrition
• Achieve a balance between the individual’s wellbeing and that of the people caring for them.
• Proactive identification of Carers
• Duty to access any Carer who appears to have needs for support, including their willingness and ability to continue.
• Duty to provide Carers with a Personal Budget if they have eligible needs.

Carers can be eligible for support even if the adult they support does not have eligible needs.

Derbyshire Carers Association and Derbyshire County Council work together to ensure our services are compliant with the Care Act and deliver against the key principles

For more information on the Care Act https://www.scie.org.uk/care-act-2014/video

Being heard – Carers UK

‘Being Heard’ are guides produced by Carers UK to help anyone with caring responsibilities understand their rights and gain confidence to assert them with professionals. For more information please watch the following short video:

or read the guide 

Equality Act 2010

The Equalities Act 2010 states that no individual should be discriminated against in education, employment or service provision because of their:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marital status
• Race
• Religion/belief
• Sex or sexual orientation

Further to this, a Carer cannot be discriminated against on the basis of their association with a disabled person. For more information on your rights, please read Equality act 2010: What do I need  to know as a Carer?