Policy briefings (UK wide)
This section refers to policy briefings that apply to the whole of the UK.
Some areas of legislation are not covered by the Scottish Parliament and are called "reserved matters". These are dealt with at the Westminster Parliament and decisions taken there can affect carers in the whole of the UK.
These "reserved matters" include critical issues such as benefits, pensions and employment law.
Carers UK and Carers Scotland work together to form policy briefings to respond to these areas.
Carers UK's policy briefings include the organisation's position on key issues such as benefits and breaks for carers and includes action that can be taken to bring about change.
National Strategy for Carers
A briefing on carers' priorities for the revised National Strategy for Carers, which was announced in February 2007 as part of the New Deal for Carers. This report contains results of a survey of 3000 carers which shows that recognition from professionals is carers' top priority, followed by income from benefits. Find out why a revised National Strategy is needed and what Carers UK believes it should look like
Carers and the Diversity and Equality Agenda
How do carers fit in with the launch of the Commission for Equalities and Human Rights (CEHR)?
Facts about Carers 2005
A key digest of all the key facts and figures about carers drawn from various surveys and research looking at who carers are across the UK, employment, health, age, tasks, finances and poverty, and rights. It is our most popular and widely used briefing.
Carers and Employment
A short digest of key statistics about carers in work and those who have given up work to care.
Carers' Assessments and Employment
This draws together existing guidance on carers’ legislation currently in force which relate to carers and employment. It highlights key references to government guidance. For example, carers who are at risk of losing they job should be a top priority for government.
Carers and Disabled Children Act guidance
This summarises the main points in government guidance which relate to the Act – the legislation which gives local authorities the powers to provide services directly to carers.
Carers Grant Year 6
A summary of the main points of the guidance which accompanies this government source of funding paid to local authorities to provide breaks for carers.
Charging for non-residential care
A summary of the key main points of government guidance on charging for non-residential community care services and how they affect carers. It draws out, for example, what carers can and cannot be charged for by local authorities.
Fair Access to Care
Draws out the main points in this government guidance that are most important to carers. The guidance sets out a list of banded risk criteria and social services are expected to use these to judge who is a priority for services.
Free intermediate care
Summarises the main points contained in government guidance relating to the Community care (Delayed Discharges etc.) Act 2003 and suggests ideas for how to implement the policy for carers.
Vouchers
The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 permits local authorities to provide carers with vouchers to secure breaks. This briefing summaries the main points in government guidance and suggests possible action to support carers.
Black and minority ethnic carers
Outlines the main challenges faced by black and minority ethnic carers and sets out a few statistics.
Lesbian and Gay Carers
This briefing summarises key statistics and policy issues for this disadvantaged group. It also includes a list of good pratice being carried out by local and national organizations and contacts.
Rural carers
As well as including important statistics, this document lists the main additional challenges faced by carers in rural areas and looks at good practice aiming to tackle these problems.
Young carers
Contains statistics and findings from key research about young carers with full references for further information.
Page Last Modified: 25/10/2007
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