Help for Carers > Education, training and employment > Employment > Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004

Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004

The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 came into force in England on 1st April 2005 and in Wales on 18th April 2005.

What the Act does

Gives carers new rights to information - Section 1 of the Act places a duty on local authorities to inform carers of their right to a Carers Assessment .

Ensures that work, life-long learning and leisure are considered when a carer is assessed; Section 2 means that when a Carers Assessment is being completed it must take into account whether the carer works or wishes to work, any courses the carer is taking or wishes to take, and any other leisure activities the carer undertakes or wishes to undertake.

Gives local authorities new powers to enlist the help of housing, health, education and other local authorities in providing support to carers; Section 3 states that if the local authority requests another authority to plan services, that authority must give the request due consideration.

Up to the passing of the Act, carers had the following rights:

Right to an assessment – carers who provide regular and substantial care are entitled to a carer’s assessment, which looks at their needs as a carer;

Carers can also receive services in their own right under the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000;

Intermediate care – carers can receive free intermediate care services, and equipment up to the value of £1,000, for up to 8 weeks following the discharge of a patient;

Carers have a right to request Direct Payments, cash payments in lieu of social care, and can receive vouchers in lieu of break services.

You can get more information from:

www.carersuk.org.uk - Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act

Carers UK has a lot of useful information for carers. It deals with, amongst other things, carers’ rights, employment, training etc; it gives a detailed background to the Act; information for carers and their rights; and juggling work and care.

Do look at the wealth of information on this website before you search for work or decide to give up work.

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