Learning

• The Care Act 2014 in England defines an unpaid carer as a person who provides or intends to provide care for another adult who may need support due to illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction. This definition is similar across all the nations.
• If you live in England and are over 18 and have parental responsibility for a child who is disabled you are defined in law as a parent-carer (Children and Families Act 2014). Parent includes any person acting as a guardian to another. This definition is similar across all the nations.
• The Children and Families Act 2014 in England also defines those aged under 18 who provide care as young carers. In Scotland young carers are covered under the Carers Scotland Act 2016.

Note: for the purposes of this course we may use the terms carer or unpaid carer interchangeably to mean those providing care unpaid.