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Legislation protecting people in care

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Human Rights Act 1998

The Human Rights Act 1998 incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into UK law.

The act means that public authorities must protect and abide by these human rights. This includes:

  • police
  • government
  • councils

The act protects everyone in the UK, including people getting social care support.

The act also means that those responsible for providing social care services must respect human rights. If they do not respect them, they can be held to account. If human rights have been breached, cases can be taken to UK courts. 

Find out about making a complaint about your social care support.

Your human rights in privately run care homes

The Care Act 2014 protects people in Scotland living in privately run care homes if your:

  • fees are funded by the council
  • your contract for social care support was arranged by the council

For more information, read the Equality and Human Rights Commission Scotland’s Human Rights in Scotland.

The information was last updated on: 31st October 2023

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Find my council

You can contact your local council's social care department for a free assessment. Find their details here.

You can contact your local council's social care department for a free assessment. Find their details here.