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 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 previous 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. On 29 June 2024 the new Government announced that it will not be possible to take forward these charging reforms.
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.