(1)This section applies for the purposes of this Act.
(2)“Adult” means a person who is aged 18 or over.
(3)“Child” [F1(except in section 83(2C))] means a person who is aged under 18.
(4)“Carer” means a person who provides or intends to provide care for an adult or disabled child; but see subsections (7) and (8) and section 187(1).
(5)A person is “disabled” if the person has a disability for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010, subject to provision made under subsection (6).
(6)Regulations may provide that a person falling within a specified category is or is not to be treated as disabled for the purposes of this Act.
(7)A person is not a carer for the purposes of this Act if the person provides or intends to provide care—
(a)under or by virtue of a contract, or
(b)as voluntary work.
(8)But a local authority may treat a person as a carer for the purposes of any of its functions under this Act if the authority considers that the relationship between the person providing or intending to provide care and the person for whom that care is, or is to be, provided is such that it would be appropriate for the former to be treated as a carer for the purposes of that function or those functions.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 3(3) inserted (1.9.2021) by Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 (anaw 2), s. 100(3), Sch. 1 para. 24(2); S.I. 2021/373, art. 8(j)(xl) (as amended by S.I. 2021/735, art. 2(5)(b))