Care system receives 60 year overhaul

Today sees that arrival of the long awaited Care Act 2014.

With the UK’s population living longer and leading more active lives well into retirement, it is recognised that England’s health and social care system has not kept up with the demands of an ageing population.  The Care Act represents the biggest overhaul in the care system for over 60 years and includes rights for those receiving care and those who provide it to their friends and family members. 

Changes introduced by the Care Act today include the following:

• A new national eligibility criteria to determine who is entitled to help from the state, with a duty on local authorities to assess people with care and support needs against these criteria.
• Giving carers the same legal right to an assessment for support as those people they care for.
• New duties for local authorities to offer advice and information on the care system to any adult who needs it.

The Care Act will also introduce new rules on paying for care and in particular the much anticipated cap on care costs.  Care Planning Services, a joint venture between Stone King solicitors and Money Wise Independent Financial Advisers has contributed to the Department of Health’s consultation on the care cap to help shape the future regulations that will be published in the Autumn.  To read our response in full, please click here.