Meeting of the Parliament 04 February 2016
I thank Ms Grant for lodging the amendments. As she said, we worked together between stages 2 and 3 to ensure that the amendments reinforce the importance of taking into account the needs of those in protected groups and make a meaningful difference to adult or young carers with one or more of the protected characteristics that are set out in the Equality Act 2010.
The amendments to sections 6 and 11 will mean that local authorities will need to consider whether the practical arrangements that they put in place for the preparation of adult carer support plans and young carer statements take into account any particular needs that the carer has as a result of having one or more of the protected characteristics. For example, a hearing impaired carer might need alternative arrangements to conducting by telephone the discussion on the adult carer support plan or the young carer statement discussion, and a carer with mobility limitations might need a home visit.
The amendments to sections 7 and 12 relate to the process of identifying a carer’s personal outcomes and needs for support. The amendments require the local authority to take into account the potential impact that having one or more of the protected characteristics might have on the carer. A carer with mobility limitations who assists a cared-for person with washing, for example, might have different needs from those of a carer who provides similar care but does not have mobility limitations.
Amendment 15 to section 31 will require the local authority to identify, as part of the information and advice service, information and advice that is likely to be of particular relevance to carers in protected groups.
I am pleased to support the amendments in this group and I thank Ms Grant for lodging them.