Carers Rights
Every day, 12,000 people become unpaid carers for a partner, family member or a friend – many of whom don’t see themselves as carers, often unaware of their legal rights and what they’re entitled to in terms of support and benefits.
Every year Carers UK raises awareness of Carers Rights. In 2024, and the most recent Carers Rights Day, the theme was ‘recognising your rights’ – and their aim and our aim in supporting this campaign, has been to help carers recognise and understand their rights, and to access the support available to them, whenever they need it, throughout the year.
As a carer, knowing your rights empowers you with information about what you’re entitled to. This helps you feel confident asking for what you need, as well as challenging things when your rights are not being met – whether that be in the workplace or education, in accessing health or social care, or when interacting with other professionals or at home.
We are now looking forward to Carers Rights Day 2025. This is being held on 21st November. The theme is 'Know your rights, use your rights.' and you can find out more here:
So, what are your rights?
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The Right to unpaid Carers’ Leave - Last year (2024), the Carer’s Leave Act became law – giving employees juggling work with unpaid care the legal right to up to five days unpaid leave per annum. This will help many carers manage some of the day-to-day challenges they face – and help them stay in employment.
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The Right to request flexible working - If you are juggling work with your caring responsibilities, you have the right to request flexible working. The introduction of the new Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act means that anyone, including unpaid carers, can ask their employer for changes to their working hours, times of work, or place of work, from day one. They will also be able to change their flexible working arrangement more than once a year, which will be a huge help too.
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The Right to ask your GP to identify you’re a carer - If you provide unpaid care, you can ask your GP practice to identify you as a carer on your patient record. The benefit of this is that you may then fall into a priority group for vaccines or other public health campaigns. Carers UK has information on how to talk to your GP – and even provides a useful letter template to download and use.
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The Right (and choice) to request a free flu jab - As a carer, it’s important to look after your health and wellbeing and one way is to exercise your right to request a free flu jab, if you’d like to. If you are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be put at risk if you became ill, or if you are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, you should be offered a free flu jab. Speak to your GP or local pharmacist.
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Protection against discrimination or harassment - If you look after an older or disabled person, the law (Equality Act 2010) protects you against direct discrimination or harassment because of your caring responsibilities. You may also be protected under other laws, including disability or sex discrimination legislation. Understanding your rights can be useful if you feel you have been treated unfairly because of your caring role.
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Requesting a Carer’s Assessment - Like many carers, you may find it easier to continue in your caring role if you can get some support and assistance. If it appears that you have needs for support, you can request to have a carer’s assessment done. If you’re over 18 and provide regular unpaid care for someone, you’re entitled to a carer’s assessment - it doesn’t matter how much or what sort of care you provide. You can read more on our website here - Carers Assessments
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Being Consulted when the person you care for is being discharged from hospital - If you are a carer and the person you care for is being discharged from hospital, the hospital must identify and consult with you, where possible. Carers UK has produced handy factsheets for carers which explain your rights and what you can expect, helping take away some of the stress that can occur when someone close to you has been in hospital.
Caring Safely
Following Carers Rights Day, it is also important to recognise a carers right to care safely.
We all have the right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.
But what does that mean for carers?
'I am a family member, friend or someone providing Support or Care to a person with Care And Support Needs.'
Adults who need Care and support often need a mixture of practical, financial and emotional support to help them to manage their lives and be independent. These adults can include older people, people with a disability or long-term illness, people with mental health problems, and carers. When people need care and support their needs are assessed to see what services they may require, and where eligible, to assess the allocation of funds required to enable them to obtain care and support. people’s needs. This could include care home, home care, personal assistants, day services, or the provision of aids and adaptations.