Thursday 21st November 2024 is Carers Rights Day. Carers UK runs this annual campaign to help signpost carers to information and support. This year’s theme is ‘Recognising Your Rights’.
Carers are often unaware of their legal rights and what they are entitled to in terms of support and benefits. We want to help you to recognise and understand your rights, and to access available support when you need it.
As a carer, knowing your rights empowers you with information about what you are entitled to. This helps you feel confident in asking for what you need, as well as challenging things when your rights are not being met – whether that be in the workplace, education or in accessing health or social care, or when interacting with other professionals or at home.
Unpaid carers have rights both in the workplace and outside it. These include:
The right to unpaid Carer’s Leave
Earlier this year, 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. Click here for more information.
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, place of work, and more. You can also change your flexible working arrangement more than once a year. Read more here.
The right to ask your GP practice to identify you as a carer
As an unpaid carer, you can ask your GP practice to identify you as a carer on your patient record. This means you may be put into a priority group for vaccines or other public health campaigns. Some GP surgeries have a form to help you register as a carer. Carers UK has information on how to talk to your GP, and provides a useful letter template you can use.
The right to request a free flu jab
If you are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be put at risk if you became ill, you are eligible for a free flu jab. You should also be offered them if you are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance. Speak to your GP or local pharmacist or read more here.
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.
If you feel you have been treated unfairly because of your caring role, the Carers UK have useful information.
Requesting a carer’s assessment
All carers are entitled to an assessment from their local authority regardless of how much care they are providing. You may also want to have a re-assessment of your needs if your Caring role has considerably changed since your last assessment. In Allerdale and Copeland, Carer Support West Cumbria carry out Carers Assessments on behalf of Cumberland Council.
Click the links to read more about Adult Carers Assessments or Young Carer Assessments.
Being consulted when the person you care for is discharged from hospital
If the person you care for is being discharged from hospital, the hospital must identify and consult with you, where possible. Carers UK has useful information on the discharge procedure and what to expect when someone you care for is in hospital.
If you need any further support or information, please contact us.
If you want to know more about Carer's Rights you can access a wealth of information online, below are some useful links:
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