23/03/06 - Charity warns that councils are failing to protect carers' rights

Councils could face a growing number of legal challenges for failing to protect carers’ rights, a report out today warns.

The report, published by charity Carer’s UK found that councils were not properly implementing the Human Rights Act, which came into force in October 2000, and highlighted “significant weaknesses” in the health and social care system.

It said that human rights legislation was not being used by social workers as they planned services and put care packages in place.

The report found carers’ rights to life, privacy and family life, and freedom from inhuman or degrading treatment, were being breached.

Carer’s UK called for improved guidance for care professionals and said the government should review funding to ensure councils had sufficient resources to prevent infringement of the Human Rights Act.

Imelda Redmond, chief executive of Carers UK, said: “Carers tell us time and time again that they feel their human rights are being infringed when they are not given a choice about caring.

“They find that when support is not right or insufficient, it is impossible to maintain even a basic quality of life.

“Despite developments in law to improve the situation for carers, these policies are not being put into practice.”

Source : Carers Uk