On 28 April the Guardian published a quick guide to the Care Act on its website and as a supplement in its 29 April issue. You can go directly to the Guardian Article here or read some key points below.
What is the Care Act?
The Care Act 2014 is the most significant change in social care law for 60 years. It applies to England and replaces a host of out–of–date and often confusing care laws.
The legislation sets out how people’s care and support needs should be met and introduces the right to an assessment for anyone, including carers and self–funders, in need of support.
What is the most important change?
The act’s “wellbeing principle” spells out a local authority’s duty to ensure people’s wellbeing is at the centre of all it does. There will be more emphasis on outcomes and helping people to connect with their local community. Also, for the first time, people’s eligibility for services will be the same across England. Another first is that councils are now allowed to contract out social work functions such as assessment.
Why was the Care Act introduced?
The changes aim to enable people to have more control over their own lives. Support should be less about firefighting and more about prevention, with the ultimate goal of helping people stay independent.
When does it come into effect?
Many of the changes took effect on 1 April, though there will be a lengthy settling–down period. By 2016, the final arrangements for the funding of care– including the £72,000 cap on care costs – will be in place.
Are we ready for the Care Act?
Some sectors are more ready than others. In a Department of Heath stocktake, 97% of local councils said they were “fairly or very confident of delivering the changes”.
Will the Care Act save money?
Local councils are expecting to have to undertake between 440,000 and 530,000 extra assessments and the new rights for carers are likely to put extra strain on resources. Greater reliance on community support could reduce costs, but the jury is still out on that.
What about the rest of the UK?
Although the Care Act is England–only, other UK legislation has much in common with it: for example, the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 and the Social Care (Self–directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013.