Consultation about draft Care and Support Bill

The Draft Care and Support Bill alters the whole framework for social care, replacing lots of overlapping and sometimes contradictory laws that have been in use over the last 60 years. The Bill is now going through pre-legislative scrutiny and the Joint Committee on the Draft Care and Support Bill, chaired by Paul Burstow MP, has set up a web forum to hear the views of family carers. Not sure how long this opportunity lasts, so take part as soon as you can !

Dear Family Carer

Last September we sent you an email about the Draft Care and Support Bill, which alters the whole framework for social care, replacing lots of overlapping and sometimes contradictory laws that have been in use over the last 60 years. The Bill is now going through pre-legislative scrutiny and the Joint Committee on the Draft Care and Support Bill, chaired by Paul Burstow MP, has set up a web forum to hear the views of family carers.

The Committee would like to hear about your experiences as a carer and what impact you think the Government’s proposed legislation might have on your own situation, either positive or negative. Your comments will help inform the recommendations the Committee makes to the Government in their report.

The Draft Bill covers many areas relating to care and support but the Committee would particularly like to hear your views on three key areas:

· Responsibilities of local authorities

· Assessing needs (carers and individuals)

· Safeguarding adults at risk of abuse and neglect

The link to the online forum is here: http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/draft-care-and-support-bill/web-forum/ . It gives details about the proposed clauses for you to think about and respond to if you wish.

We are attaching here the document we sent to you in September and our response to the consultation in October 2012 for more information. Community Care has also compiled a reading list of relevant information about the Draft Bill, so if you would like to read more http://www.communitycare.co.uk/blogs/adult-care-blog/2013/01/your-draft-care-and-support-bill-reading-list.html will be helpful.

We do not know how long the forum will be open – if you would like to have your views noted we suggest you take part as soon as you can!

All best wishes,