This year, Carers Rights Day is Thursday 21st November 2024 and this year’s theme is “Recognising Your Rights”.
Every day people become unpaid carers for a partner, family member or a friend – many of whom do not see themselves as carers, often unaware of their legal rights and what they are entitled to in terms of support and benefits. This year’s theme is ‘recognising your rights’ – and the aim is to help carers recognise and understand their rights, and to access the support available to them, whenever they need it.
In Angus there are over 1,500 adult carers and over 300 Young Carers registered at Angus Carer Centre, however, we know there are an estimated 13,000+ unpaid carers that have not yet been identified. As a carer, knowing your rights helps you to know what you are entitled too.
Carers Leave Act
Earlier this 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.
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.
The Right to ask your GP Practice to identify you as 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.
The Right and choice to request a free flu jab
As a carer, it is important to look after your health and wellbeing and one way is to exercise your right to request a free flu jab, if you would 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
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.
Requesting a carers 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 in your caring role, you can request to have a carer’s assessment done. This is usually referred to as an adult carer support plan. If you’re over 18 and provide regular unpaid care for someone, you are entitled to a carer’s assessment – it doesn’t matter how much or what sort of care you provide.
Being consulted when the person you care for is 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. This can help to take away some of the stress that can occur when someone close to you has been in hospital.
If you need further information about being an unpaid carer, contact