Putting people at the heart of the system.
The Care Act 2014 introduced changes to adult social care which could affect the way care is provided to you. It represents the biggest change to adult social care in over 60 years, and reforms the law relating to the care and support of adults and their carers.
The main focus is to promote wellbeing, and prevent or delay people needing social care services by putting people at the heart of the system. The Act will encourage greater integration of adult social care and health services, create new national eligibility criteria for care and support, give carers the same legal rights as the people they care for and set a cap on the maximum amount individuals will have to pay towards the cost of their care.
Millions of people provide unpaid care or support to an adult family member or friend, either in their own home or somewhere else. Caring for someone covers lots of different things, like helping with their washing, dressing or eating, taking them to regular appointments or keeping them company when they feel lonely or anxious.
If this sounds like you, changes to the way care and support is provided in England mean you may be able to get more help so that you can carry on caring and look after your own wellbeing. Find out more about support available in our carers section.
The way care and support needs are assessed is changing for the better, meaning that decisions made about the help you receive will consider your wellbeing and what is important to you and your family.
The Care Act 2014 has introduced a national approach to deciding if an adult is eligible for care and support, which all councils will consider when assessing what help we can give to you.
Whatever your level of need, we will be able to put you in touch with the right organisation to support your wellbeing and help you remain independent for longer.
Deferred payment agreements are used so that people should not have to sell their homes to pay for care, as they have sometimes had to do in the past.
A deferred payment agreement is an arrangement with the council that will enable some people to use the value of their homes to pay for their care. If you are eligible, we will help to pay the care home bills on your behalf. You can delay repaying us until you choose to sell your home, or until after your death.
More changes to the way people pay for care and support will protect people with the highest needs from facing unlimited costs, and provide more financial support to people with modest means, including:
Care and support statutory guidance
If you would like more information about the changes and how these may affect you, contact us by telephone 020 8227 2915 or email IntakeTeam@lbbd.gov.uk