Learning

In England the legal rights of unpaid carers are defined in the Care Act 2014 (for adults) and the Children and Families Act 2014 (for parent carers and young carers under 18).

Under these Acts local authorities have a duty to recognise, support and protect carers. Specifically, local authorities have a duty to: 

• Assess carers’ needs
• Provide carers with support to meet their needs, based on national eligibility criteria
• Provide information and advice to promote wellbeing and, where possible, to prevent people needing support.