The Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995

The Carers (Recognition & Services) Act 1995, which came into effect on 1st April 1996 was the first piece of legislation to recognise fully the crucial role played by carers. The Act contains two main elements for carers:

• A carer’s right to ask for an assessment of their ability to care
• Local authorities duty to take into account the results of this assessment when looking at what support to provide to the person cared for (the service user)
• The Act covers three groups of carers:
• Adults (people aged 18 or over) who care for other adults
• Adults who care for ill or disabled children (under the age of 18)
• Young carers under the age of 18 who care for a relative

To be eligible for an assessment carers must be:

• Providing, or intending to provide, a substantial amount of care on a regular basis.

Under this Act an assessment is available on request when a local authority carries out an assessment of the person cared for in respect of services under:

• The NHS & Community Care Act 1990
• The Children Act 1989
• The Chronically Sick & Disabled Persons Act 1970