The Care Act 2014
The Care Act sets out how we should provide adult social care.
Part 1: Care and Support
Part 1 came into force in April 2015. It was created to help to make care and support more consistent across the country. The main principles are that:
- we must ensure that your wellbeing is at the centre of decision making
- we must provide information and advice on:
- how to we manage adult social care services
- the types of care and support available and who provides it
- how to access care and support
- how to get independent financial advice relating to your care and support needs
- how to raise concerns about the safety or wellbeing of any adult who has care and support needs
- carers have similar rights to services as the people that they provide care for
- there are national eligibility criteria for care and support to make this consistent across the country
- you have the right to an advocate if you need help to communicate or understand something
- you have the right to ask for a personal budget if you're not offered one
Adult Social Care Reform
The Government has a long-term vision for reforming adult social care in England to make sure that it is fit for the future and fairer for everyone. The aim is that everyone receives the care they need, when they need it, to live the life they want. To ensure that everyone:
- has choice, control and support to live independently
- can access outstanding quality of care and support
- finds adult social care fair and accessible
Hundreds of organisations and individuals across health and social care worked together to develop these plans. These include those with personal experience of drawing on or providing care and support.
The Government announced in September 2021 that they would review the way people pay for their adult social care. They proposed to introduce a cap on care costs on 1 October 2023. However they announced a delay in their Autumn Statement 2022 when it was delayed until October 2025.
The Government's plan for adult social care reform in England is available to read in full on the GOV.UK website.
Please see our Paying for Adult Social Care webpage for Information on the current funding arrangements.
Part 2: Care Standards
Part 2 of the Care Act includes the quality of care. This aims to improve standards by putting people and their carers in control of their care and support.
You can view the full legislation on the Government's legislation website.
