The Care Act 2014.

The Care Act 2014 is a law that sets out how people’s care and support needs should be assessed, planned and delivered in England. It aims to promote people’s wellbeing and independence, while also ensuring that they are protected from abuse and neglect.

The Care Act 2014 came into effect on April 1, 2015, and it replaced several previous laws and regulations that governed adult social care in England. The Act places a strong emphasis on prevention, so that people receive the support they need to stay well and independent for as long as possible.

What are the key principles of the Care Act 2014?

The Care Act 2014 is based on several key principles, which include:

Promoting people’s wellbeing: The Act aims to promote people’s wellbeing by considering their individual needs, goals and preferences, and by enabling them to live the life they want.

Putting people in control: The Act places people at the centre of their own care and support, and it gives them the right to make choices and decisions about their own lives.

Preventing needs from escalating: The Act aims to prevent people’s needs from becoming more serious or acute, by identifying and addressing them early on.

Providing high-quality care and support: The Act requires that care and support is provided to a high standard, and that it is tailored to meet people’s individual needs.

Promoting integration and partnership: The Act promotes integration and partnership between health and social care services, and between local authorities, the NHS, and other partners.

What does the Care Act 2014 cover?

The Care Act 2014 covers a wide range of areas related to adult social care, including:

Assessing people’s care and support needs
The Act requires local authorities to carry out assessments of people’s care and support needs, and to consider their individual circumstances and preferences.

Providing care and support
The Act sets out how care and support should be provided, including the provision of personal budgets and direct payments.

Safeguarding adults at risk
The Act sets out how local authorities and other organisations should respond to allegations of abuse or neglect of adults at risk.

Information and advice
The Act require local authorities to provide information and advice to people about care and support, and to make sure that it is accessible and easy to understand.

Transitions
The Act requires local authorities to plan for people’s transitions between different stages of care and support, including transitions between children’s and adult services.

Carers
The Act recognises the valuable role that carers play in supporting people, and it sets out how they should be supported and involved in decisions about care and support.

Integration and partnership
The Act promote integration and partnership between health and social care services, and between local authorities, the NHS, and other partners.

What are the benefits of the Care Act 2014?

The Care Act 2014 has several benefits, including:

A focus on prevention

The Act aims to prevent people's needs from escalating, by identifying and addressing them early on.

More choice and control

The Act places people at the centre of their own care and support, and it gives them the right to make choices and decisions about their own lives.

Improved quality of care

The Act requires that care and support is provided to a high standard, and that it is tailored to meet people's individual needs.

Better support for carers

The Act recognises the valuable role that carers play in supporting people, and it sets out how they should be supported and involved in decisions about care and support.

Improved information

The Act require local authorities to provide information and advice to people about care and support, and to make sure that it is accessible and easy to understand.

Enhanced safeguarding

The Act sets out clear requirements for the safeguarding of adults at risk, and it gives local authorities and other organisations the tools they need to respond to allegations of abuse or neglect.