Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support his Department provides to people who (a) fall ill and (b) have an accident and are a primary carer for a vulnerable child.

The Care Act 2014 requires local authorities to deliver a wide range of sustainable high-quality care and support services, including support for unpaid carers. Local authorities are required to undertake a Carer’s Assessment for any unpaid carer who appears to have a need for support and to meet their eligible needs on request from the carer.

Under the Children Act 1989 and Children and Families’ Act 2014 local authorities are required to assess and support the needs of parents of and carers for children as well as those with Special Educational Needs or a disability. Since April 2015, every young carer is also entitled to an assessment to ensure they get the support they need.