Health and social care

This is a short summary. For the full version, please see the Office of Public Sector Information website.

Visit the Carers UK website for further information and advice regarding the Act.

Section 1: Duty to inform

There is a duty on social services to inform carers of their right to a carer's assessment.

Section 2: Assessment of carers

Any carer's assessment must include consideration of whether the carer works or wishes to work, and are undertaking or wishes to undertake, education, training or any leisure activity.

Section 3: Co-operation between authorities

A local authority can request any other local authority, local education authority, housing authority, or health authority to assist in the planning of carer's services.

If an authority is requested to assist in planning the provision of services, the authority must give due consideration to the request.

The idea is for better and more cohesive support for carers. This is then more likely to link carers in with other forms of support.