(This note is not part of the Regulations/Order)
This Order brings into force on 1st April 2001 certain provisions of the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 (“the Act”) in relation to England only.
It brings into force section 1 which creates a right of carers (as defined in this section) to an assessment; section 2 which enables local authorities to provide services to carers; section 4 which amends the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995(1) so as to allow an assessment under sections 1 or 6 of the Act to be taken into account when making an assessment under the 1995 Act; section 5 which amends the Community Care (Direct Payments) Act 1996(2) so as to allow direct payments to be made to carers (as defined in section 1) for carers' services (as defined in section 2); section 6 which creates a right of persons with parental responsibility for a disabled child to an assessment; section 7(1) in so far as it inserts section 17A into the Children Act 1989, along with section 7(2) and (3), which allow direct payments to be made to persons with parental responsibility for a disabled child and 16 and 17 year old disabled children.
The Order also brings into force sections 8 to 11 inclusive (except for that part of section 9 which relates to the provision of vouchers), which relate to charging for carers' services, minor and consequential amendments, financial provision, and interpretation and regulations.
This is the first Commencement Order made under the Act.