Rights

This paper examines the relationship between care and mobility. It does so within the specific context of intra‐EU migration and the development of European citizenship. Citizenship of the Union bestows valuable social rights on mobile community nationals. Entitlement under the provisions is not, however, universal but conditional and privileges those in paid work.

People caring for someone with a mental illness finally have a right both to an assessment and to have their assessed needs met. The author explains how much difference this will make to carers and their loved ones.

Looks at a government backed private member's bill which is seeking to extend the rights of carers.

There are at least six million unpaid carers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and 1.25 million provide at least 50 hours of care a week.1 One in five households contains a carer.2 Sixteen per cent of carers are over 65, and half of those being cared for are 75 or older.3 Many are ‘round the clock’ carers. Carers are the bedrock of the care and support system; the vast majority of care needs are provided by unpaid carers at home.

The author looks at three areas of the Care and Support Bill: the rights of carers, rights to funded advocacy and eligibility. Under the Bill carers will have rights to funding for services for the first time and there will be funding for independent advocates for those who will struggle to navigate the social care system alone. However, as the author explains, eligibility criteria may mean that people with moderate needs will fall outside the system.

Reports on what the proposed legislation Carers (Equal Opportunities) Bill, will mean for the provision of services to carers. It aims to provide carers who end their caring role with information on opportunities for education, training and employment.

Jean Georges and Dianne Gove present Alzheimer Europe’s newly drafted position on the disclosure of the diagnosis to people with dementia and carers

The National Strategy for Carers has raised the profile of carers needs, but does social services really treat carers as co-workers. The article looks at the impact of other initiatives, such as a Welfare to Work, and the way in which policy and practice may affect attitudes to carers.

Awareness about the role of carers in society and their contribution to the UK economy has been catapulted to the top of the political agenda in recent months following the launch of the first ever Carers' Strategy. Writing at the time of the document's publication, Imelda Redmond looks in more detail at the make up of this six‐million strong group and explains what her organisation is doing to further promote its rights.

The author discusses the SCIE practice guide 'Implementing the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004'.  The online practice guide translates what is known from research and policy into recommendations and practice examples. It is designed to be used alongside existing Department of Health guidance.