The Impact of the UK Human Rights Act 1998 on Decision Making in Adult Social Care in England and Wales

This paper explores the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on decision making in adult social care in England and Wales. It focuses on a review of the Act by the government in June 2006 and subsequent new guidance on implementation addressed to policy makers, managers and practitioners. The meaning of "rights'' in contemporary legal and social theory is considered and the potential of human rights law to improve the experiences of service users is evaluated in the light of recent research findings and proposed policy changes.