(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order brings into force on 1st July 2001 certain provisions of the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 (“the Act”) in relation to Wales.

It brings into force section 1 which creates a right of carers (as defined in this section) to an assessment; section 2 which enables local authorities to provide services to carers; section 4 which amends the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 19953 so as to allow an assessment under sections 1 or 6 of the Act to be taken into account when making an assessment under the 1995 Act; section 5 which amends the Community Care (Direct Payments) Act 19964 so as to allow direct payments to be made to carers (as defined in section 1) for carers' services (as defined in section 2); section 6 which creates a right of persons with parental responsibility for a disabled child to an assessment; section 7(1) in so far as it inserts section 17A into the Children Act 19895 which allows direct payments to be made to persons with parental responsibility for a disabled child and to 16 and 17 year old disabled children, and section 7(2) and (3).

The Order also brings into force sections 8 to 11 (inclusive) (except to the extent that the provisions inserted by section 9 refer to the provision of vouchers, and section 11(4) which relates to regulations made by the Secretary of State), which contain provision as to charging for carers' services, minor and consequential amendments, financial provision and interpretation and as to the use of regulation making powers.

This is the first Commencement Order made under the Act in relation to Wales. Certain provisions of the Act have been brought into force in relation to England by S.I. 2001 No. 510 (C.20).