Principles of decision making

Decision makers should be familiar with the Principles of Decision Making, and should take a person-centred approach.

As the total number of cared for people increases above four, it becomes less probable that a carer is able to provide 20 hours of substantial and regular care a week for each cared for person. In these cases, additional evidence can be requested, and a decision that this caring requirement is met should be based on the balance of probabilities.

This applies both to new applications for Carer Support Payment and Carer Additional Person Payment, and to cases when a client has already been awarded Carer Support Payment and Carer Additional Person Payment, and additional cared for people are added to a case, bringing the total number of cared for people above four.

Client advisers should use their best judgement to determine whether the information they have suggests it is more likely than not that care is being provided for 20 hours or more in a given week. Note there is no statutory definition of care. Information they might consider can include, but is not limited to, things like:

• whether the client has a carer support plan from the local authority confirming they are caring for the cared for person
• written statements from social workers or other professionals regarding their knowledge of care arrangements between the client and the cared for person
• evidence that the client manages the cared for person’s finances