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<p>The Government recognises the important contribution of unpaid carers and the considerable
challenges they can face in balancing work with their caring responsibilities.</p><p>Unpaid
carers can access a range of support in Jobcentres to help them find employment.</p><p>The
Government has consulted on proposals for a new entitlement to carer’s leave. The
Government response to the consultation committed to introducing carer’s leave as
a day 1 right. We are aware of Wendy Chamberlain MP’s Private Member’s Bill on Carer’s
Leave and are looking closely at whether we can support this at Second Reading. That
Bill would introduce carer’s leave for all employees who are providing care for a
dependant with a long-term care need. Eligible employees will be entitled to one week
of unpaid leave per year, which will be available to take including flexibly in individual
or half days.</p><p> </p><p>The Adult Social Care Reform White Paper: <em>People at
the Heart of Care</em>, sets out a new strategic approach to empower unpaid carers
including identifying, recognising and involving unpaid carers; supporting the economic
and social participation of unpaid carers and working with sector to kick start a
change in the services provided to support unpaid carers.</p><p> </p><p>Local authorities
are required to undertake a Carer’s Assessment for any carer who has a need for support.
This is an opportunity to record the impact caring has on a carer, including whether
they are willing or able to continue caring. If a carer is assessed as having needs
that are eligible for support, then the local authority has a legal duty to meet these
needs on request from the carer and to draw up a support plan with the carer setting
out how these needs will be met.</p>
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