Update on the Role of the Family Carer

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According to the last Census, at least 5.8 million people in the UK are providing unpaid care for an ill, older or disabled family member or friend. Other recent data suggests that in England and Wales, this unpaid care saves the governments approximately £162 bn per year. The Carers’ UK State of Caring Report (October 2024) set out the dire consequences of the unpaid carer role on the carer’s finances and wellbeing

Cate Searle’s update will focus upon the advice that we can we give to make a difference to our clients who have an unpaid carer role for their parents; their disabled children; or for other relatives or close friends.

• New rights for working carers: Carers’ Leave Act 2023 (effective from April 2024)
• Office of the Public Guardian Guidance on Family Care Payments (updated Jan 2024)
• Carers’ rights: Care Act 2014; Children & Families Act 2014; Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014
• What support should the Local Authority or NHS provide to the unpaid family carer?
• Top tips to maximise the cared for person’s social care financial assessment, so that their unpaid carer is not subsidising them financially in addition to providing unpaid care:
  • Disability Related Expenditure in the social care financial assessment context
  • Disregards in the social care financial assessment context for a cared for person living with their family
• A short guide on how to challenging negative decisions by Health or Social Services

Cate Searle, Director and Head of Community Care Law – Martin Searle Solicitors