What is a carer and who cares?
The families (& friends) of those affected by illness and disability are recognised in both federal and state legislation. In recent years the role that families play in supporting their loved ones who are disadvantaged by ill health and disability has been increasingly recognised. This is spearheaded by those family members, often parents, who stand up and speak out on behalf of their loved ones.
There are organisations who are given the task of representing family and friends, at both a federal and a state level.
Then there are organisations such as BPD Community where the families of people with lived experience of BPD are an integral part.
National Carer Recognition Act (2010)
The National Carer Recognition Bill passed through both houses of Parliament to be enacted as legislation on 28 October 2010.
The Act aims to formally acknowledge the valuable contribution that carers make to Australian society. It defines what is a carer and sets up reporting and consultation arrangements for certain public service agencies. The 'Statement of Australia’s Carers' sets out ten principles to guide how public service agencies and their funding providers should treat and consider carers.
It is part of a broader National Carer Recognition Framework that commits the Government to the establishment of national goals relating to carers, a National Carer Strategy, and three year action plans to improve policy and service delivery so that they better support caring families. See Carers Victoria website, click on the link.
The National Carer Strategy contains a vision, an aim and six important priority areas for action – recognition and respect, information and access, economic security, services for carers, education and training and health and wellbeing. Click link for further information.
1. All carers should have the same rights, choices and opportunities as other Australians, regardless of age, race, gender, disability, sexuality, religious or political beliefs, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage, cultural or linguistic differences, socioeconomic status or locality.
2. Children and young people who are carers should have the same rights as all children and young people and should be supported to reach their full potential.
3. The valuable social and economic contribution that carers make to society should be recognised and supported.
4. Carers should be supported to enjoy optimum health and social wellbeing and to participate in family, social and community life.
5. Carers should be acknowledged as individuals with their own needs within and beyond the caring role.
6. The relationship between carers and the persons for whom they care should be recognised and respected.
7. Carers should be considered as partners with other care providers in the provision of care, acknowledging the unique knowledge and experience of carers.
8. Carers should be treated with dignity and respect.
9. Carers should be supported to achieve greater economic wellbeing and sustainability and, where appropriate, should have opportunities to participate in employment and education.
10. Support for carers should be timely, responsive, appropriate and accessible
Victorian Carer Recognition Act (2012)
The Carers Recognition Act came into effect on 1 July 2012 and officially recognises care relationships and the role of carers in our community.
The Act includes a set of principles about the significance of care relationships, and specifies obligations for state government agencies, local councils, and other organisations that interact with people in care relationships. Click link for further nformation.
Fact sheets (see below) that explore the act can be found at:
http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/about-the-department/documents-and-resources/policies,-guidelines-and-legislation/carers-recognition-act-2012
• What the Carers Recognition Act says Fact Sheet
• Victorian charter supporting people in care relationships
• Responsibilities and obligations of governments and organisations
• Information for carers and those in care relationships
Other Organisations that represent carers:
Carers Victoria: The Victorian body that represents all carers of all sorts.
Carers Australia: The national body that represents all carers of all sorts.
Tandem: The organisation that represents families and carers of people experiencing mental illness and emotional distress in Victoria.