The Care Act What does it mean for carers? Debbie Hyde, Carers Joint Commissioning Manager, Bournemouth Borough Council & Borough of Poole Dorset Carers Partnership, Thursday 23rd October 2014

What bought about the Care Act? ‘Caring for our future’. Government White Paper Law Commissions recommendations Changes recommended by Francis Report Changes recommended by Dilnot Establishes Health Education England and the Health Research Authority

What the Care Act does Modernises over 60 years of law. Provides national criteria for who can get support Treats carers equally to the people they care for Changes the funding of care and support Wellbeing and prevention are important to delay the needs for care and support rather than acting at crisis point Portability of care Improved working with related services

Stages of the Care Act 2008 – 2011 – Law Commission Consultation July 2012 – Dilnot Commission reports and Government White Paper ‘Caring for our Future’ Draft Care and Support Bill published for consultation Nov 2012 – Joint Committee on Care and Support Bill appointed Feb 2013 – Francis Report Mar 2013 – Joint Committee Report Readings in Houses of Commons and Lords April 2014 – Royal Assent April 2015 – Care Act starts to come in to force April 2016 – Finance regulations start

Priority area - Carers Carers Assessments A ‘duty’ to assess carers. Carer definition: An adult who provides, or intends to provide, care, including practical and emotional support, for another adult Must take into account the carers wish for work or education

Priority area - Carers Duty and power to meet carers needs For the first time carers are put on an equal footing as the cared for. Duty to meet needs Charging provisions - discretionary

Priority area - Eligibility National eligibility criteria Local Authorities carry out an assessment, (including carers) to decide if their needs are eligible Local Authorities then have to find out if the individual wants their eligible needs to be met by the Local Authority Regulations say what is the level for eligible needs - nationally

Priority area – Dilnot – care costs Cap on care costs Regulations say how much people will pay for their care, the ‘care cap’. Local Authorities must not charge for the costs of meeting eligible care needs once cap is reached. People will still be expected to pay towards general living costs – heating, lighting, food The cap will be adjusted in line with inflation

Priority area – Dilnot – personal budgets Independent Personal Budget When a person does not want to have their needs met by the Local Authority They must be told what the costs would be for the Local Authority to meet their eligible needs Daily living costs separately identified from care and support costs

Priority area – Dilnot – Care costs Care account Local Authorities need to keep a record of the total cost being paid by a person, and to tell them when the cost of their care reaches the cap It is only the cost of eligible care needs

Any Questions?