Adult social care

The Care Act

The Care Act came into force on 1 April 2015, to make care and support more accessible and consistent across England. This enables people to get the support they need, which can come from either the council or other organisations in the community.

The Care Act says that councils must involve people in decisions made about them and their care and support. It also sets out what happens when a council needs to take action because of concerns about someone’s safety. This could be because the person is experiencing physical or mental abuse, neglect, or because someone is taking advantage of them financially.

There are different ways to pay for care and support. Help is also available for people who give unpaid care and support to an adult family member or friend.

The Care Act includes:

  • a requirement for councils to meet a national minimum threshold for people's care and support needs
  • support for carers to make it easier for carers to get direct help with caring
  • deferred payment agreements for care costs
  • a requirement on councils to provide a wide range of information and advice

The act gives councils the duty to arrange for an independent person, called an advocate, to support people who don't have anyone to represent their wishes. This might be somebody from an organisation that provides advocacy services. Read more about help to make decisions about your care and support.

Useful resources