TLAP statement
Care Act easements under Section 15 and Section 12 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 introduce significant changes to local authorities.The guidance permits a temporary easement of certain responsibilities around assessments, care planning, reviews, and financial assessments.This is in order to manage extreme pressures arising from a major increase in requests for urgent support, and a corresponding reduction in the availability of the social care workforce as a result of the corona virus pandemic.
These powers are temporary and can only be used if absolutely essential. Local Authorities are expected to continue to do everything possible to continue to meet their existing duties, unless and until they reach a point where continuing to do so will result in urgent or acute needs not being met, potentially risking life.
Clenton Farquharson MBE, chair of TLAP board, says,
“Whilst acknowledging these exceptional circumstances, my hope is that local authorities will continue as far as possible to enact Care Act duties. Should the decision be taken locally to trigger the easements, I trust the new, temporary, powers will be informed by the Ethical Framework and underpinned by individuals’ rights under the European Convention on human rights.
I am pleased that TLAP and NCAG were able to secure a commitment to retaining the core principles of personalisation and co-production and I know the TLAP partnership will continue to play an important leadership role – working together now matters more than ever.
I believe that at this time of national crisis the words by Brene Brown are helpful to us all when she says ‘All I know is that my life is better when I assume that people are doing their best. It keeps me out of judgment and lets me focus on what is, and not what should or could be.”
2024 Update: The Care Act Easement guidance for local authorities & ethical framework is no longer available.
