Guest Blog: Recognising the Rights of Carers

This year, Carers Rights Day is Thursday 21 November 2024 – and our theme is recognising your rights. Every day, 12,000 people become unpaid carers for a partner, family member or a friend – some of these stepping in to care for someone close to them after a bereavement.

Many don’t see themselves as carers as they think of themselves as a wife, husband or partner, a son or daughter or a parent. In fact it takes on average two years for people to recognise they are a carer and that means they are often unaware of their legal rights and what they’re entitled to in terms of support and benefits. That’s why Carers Rights Day is so important to help raise awareness.

As a carer, knowing your rights empowers you with information about what you’re entitled to. This can be especially important at a difficult time, when you yourself are also grieving. It can help you feel more confident asking for what you need, as well as challenging things when your rights are not being met.

There are a whole range of areas where knowing your rights can help, for example, asking for flexibility at work, for support accessing health and social care, or when interacting with healthcare professionals.

At Carers UK we have extensive guidance so that you know what services and support are available to help you cope. It’s often easier for carers to continue caring safely and well if you can get some help and assistance. If you’re over 18 and provide regular unpaid care for someone, you’re entitled to a carer’s assessment. In Scotland, this is usually referred to as an adult carer support plan and in Wales it can be referred to as a carer’s needs assessment. it doesn’t matter how much or what sort of care you provide. Watch our animation on having a carer’s assessment.

If you are juggling work and care you now have a legal right to up to five days unpaid carers leave per year thanks to the landmark Carer’s Leave Act becoming law in April 2024. You also have the right to request flexible working. This will help many carers manage some of the day-to-day challenges they face, but it can be hugely confusing to know what you are entitled to so take a look at our work and career support and information.

You can also ask your GP practice to identify you as a carer on your patient record. One of the benefits of this is that you may then fall into a priority group for vaccines or other public health campaigns, for example, as a carer you should be offered a free flu jab. Speak to your GP or local pharmacist or see our website.

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. (In Northern Ireland, carers are protected under the Human Rights Act and Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act). 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.

Carers UK is campaigning for a future where all carers are properly recognised, valued and provided with the support they need to live a life beyond their caring responsibilities. If you want to stay up-to-date with our campaigns, please sign up here.

Helen Walker, Chief Executive, Carers UK