Care and aftercare in the community

Community care law provides a legal framework for health and social care professionals to provide support to people with a mental illness who are living in the community.

Below are two ways in which care can be provided to people involved with mental health services.

Care programme approach (CPA)

CPA is the framework that co-ordinates care provided by secondary mental health services. It is provided by health and social services working together. Please see the Rethink Advice & Information Service's Care Programme Approach (CPA)  factsheet for more information.

Section 117 aftercare

This should be provided free of charge to people who have been detained under 'treatment sections' (3, 37, 45a, 47 or 48) of the Mental Health Act 1983. This is provided by health and social services working together. Please see the Rethink Advice & Information Service's Section 117 Aftercare factsheet for more information.

How are carers involved?

The guidance to social workers assessing a person’s needs under the NHS and Community Care Act 1990 and the Department of Health Circular on CPA both emphasise the right of carers to be involved and consulted, as long as the person being assessed has no objection.

Carers often have inside knowledge of the service user both before illness and during the course of their illness. They can be a valuable resource.

Care co-ordinators should:

  • Be aware of who the main carers are, what their relationship with the person is and how they can contact them
  • Communicate with the carer as far as possible
  • Inform carers of their right to a carers assessment
  • Be aware of the carer's needs
  • Be sure the carer can contact the care co-ordinator and ensure the carer knows who they can contact in a crisis
  • Include the carer's role in the care plan.

Rethink Advice & Information Service Factsheets

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