Argument Against - recognition of carers and support (second section - Naomi)

In the past, perhaps the contribution of informal carers to community care and the economy was taken for granted. However the commitment of carers and their rights are increasingly recognised and supported, which is reflected in legislation and Government policy and practice guidance. Rather than community care shifting responsibility to the family, the Government could be seen as actively supporting those who choose to take on caring responsibilities.
Under the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000, carers are entitled to an assessment of their ability to provide and continue to provide care for the person cared for. A carer’s assessment identifies the impact of the caring role, taking into account the other roles and responsibilities a carer has, as well as paid employment, education, training or leisure opportunities that a carer currently undertakes or would like to pursue. Carers’ mental and physical well being are also considered. Following a Carers Assessment a care plan will be drawn up and may incorporate respite, domiciliary services for the cared for person or direct payments, all of which would aim to ease the pressure on carers and help them to establish a better life balance.
Under the Work and Families Act 2006, Carers have the right to request flexible working if they care for someone in the same household or a close relative. This is another measure, which eases pressures felt and gives carers greater ability to balance their chosen commitments.
Introduced initially through the Community Care (Direct Payments) Act 1996 and later amended through the Health and Social Care Act 2001, direct payments are available to users and carers. Direct payments enable a good degree of independence and choice to people assessed as needing services, through enabling them to purchase their own care package. Not everyone does have the ability to manage a direct payment, however they are made widely accessible through direct payment support services funded by local authorities, as well as supported managed accounts and user controlled trusts. A person assessed as requiring care may use a direct payment to pay a wage to one or more carers, formally recognising their efforts and sometimes enabling the carer to leave other paid employment and focus on a caring role. Or those receiving Carers Assessments may choose to receive a direct payment directly to support them in their caring role.
There are support programmes for carers, including those run by carers themselves to share knowledge and experience, which may then be fed through to the Government, for example Carers UK. Organisations commissioned by the Government, for example Rethink provide a forum for education, support and ideas to be shared amongst carers. Dedicated funding has been given to local councils to develop services to support carers. By 2005 this grant was worth £185 million each year.So Government provisions are in place enacted through various pieces of legislation, which provide frameworks to support and empower carers. These actively recognise carers’ valuable contribution to community care and ensure that carers do not take on the responsibility of caring at a cost too great to their own life and well-being.