Today is Carers Rights Day, an annual awareness event organised by Carers UK to ensure carers are informed about their rights and the help and support available to them.
Whether you’re a full-time carer, someone who provides occasional assistance, or just starting your journey in this role, knowing your rights is crucial to ensuring you get the help and recognition you deserve.
Key rights every carer should know
If you’re a carer, here are some of the key rights Carers Rights Day aims to highlight:
1.The Right to a Carers Assessment
If you are providing care for a friend or loved one, you may be entitled to an assessment of how that caring role impacts your life. This is called a Carer Assessment.
Caring for someone can significantly affect your overall wellbeing, mentally and physically as well as financially and socially. The Carers Assessment examines all of these areas and identifies any support that can be put in place to make your caring role easier and lessen the impact on your daily life.
The person you are caring for does not need to have an assessment of their care for you to be eligible for a carer assessment.
The assessment can be completed by yourself, in your own time and posted or emailed back to the local authority, or you can work alongside a professional to complete the assessment by filling it out in person or over the phone. For parent carers, the assessment is usually completed at the same time as any assessment of your child’s needs.
2.The Right to financial support
Many carers are entitled to benefits like Carer’s Allowance or additional support through Universal Credit. Knowing what you’re eligible for can ease the financial burden of caregiving.
Benefits you may be entitled to:
- Carers allowance
- Attendance allowance
- Carers credit
- Pension credit
- Universal credit
3.The Right to request flexible working and unpaid carers leave
If you’re balancing work and caring responsibilities, you have the right to request flexible working hours, take unpaid leave for emergencies, and be protected from discrimination.
Balance caring and work can be challenging, but flexible working arrangements can make it easier. Flexible working allows you to maintain your job while effectively managing your other responsibilities, such as caring for a loved one.
Did you know 87% of people want more flexibility in their work, but many don’t know how to ask?
Many carers fear that their employer would not allow flexible working or that they wouldn’t be eligible. However, with new UK legislation, employers are taking the right to flexible working more seriously – if it isn’t in their policies already.
Earlier this year, the right to unpaid carers leave was introduced. Anyone who is a carer can ask their employer for one week’s leave to care for a loved one. Carers would not need to provide evidence when requesting leave. It also ensures that carers will fall under the same employment protections as other family-related leave, meaning they cannot be dismissed for taking the leave.
4.The Right to be recognised as a carer by your GP
If your Practice knows that you are a carer, they can help you in many ways:
- Access to their Carers Champion, who can signpost you to your local carers support service.
2. Offering appointments at convenient times.
3. Offering double appointments to enable you and the person you care for to be seen at the same time, rather than having to make two visits.
4. Free annual health checks and Flu vaccinations.
5. Sharing information about the person you care for, subject to their consent. (Where a person lacks capacity to give consent, this may still be possible if you have a Lasting Power of Attorney for Health).
6. Involvement in the care planning of the person you care for.
7. Being kept up-to-date about relevant events and information.
8. Referral to a Social Prescriber who can refer you to other services or support groups, or simply provide a listening ear.
9. Keeping a check on your physical and emotional wellbeing and the impact of your caring role on your health.
5. As a carer, you have a right to ask for help
Being a carer is a demanding role, and it can take a toll on your physical and mental health. However, many carers are afraid to ask for support as they believe it is their responsibility alone to look after their loved one.
There is no shame in seeking help, reaching out can provide much-needed relief and support that you need.
Lead the Way can help you navigate what help is out there and find the right support. For more information, contact us below.
Call 0300 012 0416, email info@leadtheway.org.uk or visit: leadtheway.org.uk
