Carers' rights

In 2024 the Carer’s Leave Act became law – giving employees who do unpaid care the legal right to up to five days' unpaid leave per year. This helps to manage some of the day-to-day challenges. For more information, visit this webpage on the Carer's Leave Act. 

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. You can also change flexible working arrangements more than once a year. You can find more information here.

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. You can find them on their website.

It’s important to look after your health and one way is to exercise your 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, 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.

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 – you can read more on the Carers UK website.

You may find it easier to continue in your caring role if you can get some support and assistance - you can request to have a carer’s assessment. In Wales it is often called a carer's needs assessment. 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. Why not watch this film on having a carer’s assessment?

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 in England and Wales (including a Welsh language version) 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.