The Care Act marks the biggest reform to adult social care in the UK for over 60 years and is designed to make social care and support services more consistent across the country.
It came into force on 1 April, 2015, and sets out new rights for people needing care and support and makes it clear what kind of help they can expect to receive.
In particular, it seeks to promote people's wellbeing by encouraging the use of preventative services and providing information and advice about support in the community which can help them live independently for as long as possible.
The Care Act introduces a new single national eligibility threshold and measures to ensure continuity of care for people who move from one area to another.
It also gives carers new rights so that they can receive help before they reach crisis point while councils and partner organisations have been given responsibilities to promote wellbeing and preventative services and provide information and advice to prospective care users.
Next April, the Care Act will also introduce a lifetime care spending cap of no more than £72,000 to protect service users from excessive care costs.
Linda Sanders, Wolverhampton City Council's Strategic Director for People, said: "The changes being introduced through the Care Act are designed to help people plan for the future, give them more control over the help they receive and also limit the amount they have to pay towards care costs.
"Many of us will need care and support at some point in our lives, and so it is important that people find out how these changes may affect them."
A webpage giving information about the Care Act, and how it is likely to affect people, is available at Type=articles;Articleid=6015;Title=The Care Act 2014;. Alternatively, people can email careact@wolverhampton.gov.uk or call 01902 551155 to find out more.
The new Wolverhampton Information Network Type=links;Linkid=5929;Title=website;Target=_blank; also contains useful information about the Care Act, along with details of social care and support services in Wolverhampton and organisations which can offer help and guidance on a wide range of issues.
Meanwhile, Life Direct is hosting a series of free drop in sessions for carers about the Care Act, offering expert advice and the chance to sample wellbeing services.
They are taking place at Bilston Library, Mount Pleasant, on Tuesday 14 April from 11am to 2pm, Bradmore Community Centre, Birches Barn Road, Pennfields, on Wednesday 22 April from 12.30pm to 3.30pm and Wednesfield Community Centre, Well Lane, on Wednesday 29 April from 11am to 2pm. For more information, please call 0845 155 0307 or visit Type=links;Linkid=3271;Title=Life Direct;Target=_blank;.
- released: Thursday 9 April, 2015