The Care Act 2014 Flashcards
What is the Care Act 2014?
Sets out the responsibilities of Local Authorities in ensuring that individuals in that area are provided with the care and support they need. This is mainly about people who are over 18 years old and need support and the purpose of the act was to give individuals more control over their care as well as ensuring they understand what support is available to them
What is the Local authority?
Local authority refers to a regional government organisation that is responsible for all the public services and facilities in that area (e.g. Rushmoor Borough Council)
What are the key points of the legislation?
- The local authority has a duty to promote an individual’s wellbeing
- Also must ensure that the needs of carers are considered
- Continuity of care
- Carrying out an assessment of an individual’s needs (including child needs assessments)
- Must provide information, advice and advocacy so everyone understands the care and support they are entitled to
- Responsibility for adult safeguarding
- Local authority must put in place services that prevent, delay and reduce need for care and support services
- Personal budgets and direct payments
What does this key point mean?:
The local authority has a duty to promote an individual’s wellbeing
Carers must ensure that an individual’s personal dignity is maintained and they are protected from abuse and neglect, ensure they have suitable living accommodation and have control over their own day to day life. Any decision made by the council should ensure this
What does this key point mean?:
Also must ensure that the needs of carers are considered
As well as the needs of individuals who require care and support, they should also consider the needs of their family members who are caring for them and ensure they have suitable support
What does this key point mean?:
Continuity of care
If people move to a different location, there should be no gap in the care provided. This means information about that individual’s needs should be passed on to the new local authority so they can continue to receive adequate care. There should also be the same rules about eligibility of care in different areas
What does this key point mean?:
Carrying out an assessment of an individual’s needs (including child needs assessments)
If someone received care before the age of 18, they must be assessed to see if they will continue to require care and support. Anyone is entitled to an assessment if they appear to have support needs
What does this key point mean?:
Must provide information, advice and advocacy so everyone understands the care and support they are entitled to
Advocates should be provided to help an adult or carer who is subject to an assessment understand their rights. They can help explain the process and support them during care and support plan meetings to ensure their views and needs are expressed
What does this key point mean?:
Responsibility for adult safeguarding
New safeguarding adult boards in each local area which are responsible for carrying out enquiries into cases of abuse and neglect. Information should be shared between agencies to ensure individuals are safeguarded
What does this key point mean?:
Local authority must put in place services that prevent, delay and reduce need for care and support services
The idea is to assist individuals to live healthy lives so that the need for future care and support is reduced and time taken to receive care is reduced too
What does this key point mean?:
Personal budgets and direct payments
Where individuals are entitled to care and support, they can decide how that money is spent, giving them more direct control of their care
CASE STUDY:
Cassie is 47 years old and has early onset dementia. She has recently moved to a new supported living service to be nearer her family. Her daughter has noticed Cassie is withdrawn and suspects that one of her new carers has been neglecting Cassie as she is quite down and once had not been dressed for most of the day.
How would the Care Act protect Cassie’s rights?
Due to her dementia, Cassie would be entitled to a needs assessment so that she can be provided with care and support. The law would ensure that she is appointed an advocate so she can make decisions about what care she needs and how she is supported. The law also ensures that if she is being abused, then the safeguarding team will investigate this and ensure it stops. She should also have received continuity of care when moving to the new supported living service so that she has the same quality care and treatment as before.
