Carers Rights Day is an annual event, dedicated to ensuring family carers are aware of their rights as a carer. This year Carers Rights Day falls on Thursday 25th November.
Family carers should always be aware of their rights, whether they are new to caring or have been supporting a family member or friend for many years.
We want to provide you with as much information and support as possible so that you feel confident when asking for what you need.
It is illegal to coerce or force someone to be a family carer, or to demand they do certain tasks and hours. If you choose to be a family carer you have the right to say what you are willing and able to do for the person you care for, and to be supported in that choice.
You have the right to decide if you wish to make changes to your caring role at any time. Responsibility for the care and support of any adult you care for lies with the Local Authority not you!
A Carers Assessment your chance to discuss how caring affects you. The assessment may be undertaken by Suffolk County Council or a trusted provided such as Suffolk Family Carers.
A professional adviser will discuss how caring affects your life, including your physical, mental or emotional health, your goals, and how you can achieve them whilst carrying out your caring role. They can also provide you with information, advice or guidance to make your caring role easier. The conversation may explore if further support is available to you.
We have a short FAQ video on carers assessments which may answer some of your questions
Juggling work and care can be challenging, with 1 in 7 working family carers giving up work or reducing their hours due to their caring role. Many others are affected by poor wellbeing and stress.
You can request flexible working by law if you have been employed continuously for 26 weeks. Your employer has to consider your request in a ‘reasonable manner’.
The Government has recently announced plans to make this available from day 1 for family carers. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/millions-to-be-empowered-by-government-plans-to-strengthen-day-one-employment-rights-and-increase-productivity-of-businesses
If you are a member of the armed forces, a veteran, or a family member, the Armed Forces Covenant offers a wide variety of support to ensure you are treated fairly. This extends to those in caring roles. To find out more visit https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/about/
Find out more about Suffolk Family Carers dedicated support for family carers that are, or have been part of a military family please visit
If the person you care for is being discharged from hospital that hospital must identify and consult with you, if possible. As their carer you know the person you care for better than anyone so it is only right you are involved in consultations and hospital discharge.
For more details see Carers UK useful information on coming out of hospital. https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/practical-support/coming-out-of-hospital
Help is available from a practitioner who can discuss with you your needs in your caring role, how it affects your wellbeing, your feelings, your choices about caring, and what help you need to support you as a carer of a child or young person.
The practitioner will work collaboratively with you to develop a plan around your needs. The plan is likely to include things that your family and friends can do to support you, as well as facilitating access to relevant local support services. They will also help you find out if further help and support may be available to you.
If you are caring for an older or disabled person you are “ associated” with them under the Equality Act 2010. This protects you against direct discrimination or harassment because of your caring role.
Carers UK provide more information.
https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/work-and-career/other-rights-at-work/discrimination-under-the-equality-act-2010
If you are the main carer for someone who would be unable to manage without you, and may be at risk if you became ill, you are eligible for a free flu jab. You are also eligible if you’re receiving Carer’s Allowance.
To ensure you are invited for the flu vaccine every year, notify your GP practice that you look after someone vulnerable. They will identify you as a family carer on your patient record. This will also ensure you are invited for current or future COVID boosters
There may be times when you need to prove that you are a family carer. Suffolk Family Carers, in partnership with local NHS organisations have developed a “Carers Identification Letter” to help with this. For more information contact our information Hub – hello@suffolkfamilycarers.org
It does not matter who you care for, how much care you provide or what kind of care you provide help is available. Suffolk Family Carers Young Carers & Young Adult Carers teams complete Young Carer Assessment’s on behalf of Suffolk County Council.
Together with an Advisor, you will be helped to identify your needs, wishes and aspirations and develop a plan of support that puts you at the centre. The plan may include wellbeing guidance and support, face to face or online peer groups or condition specific information. The plan may also include help from other organisations.
Your Council Tax bill will normally be based on an assumption that there are at least two adults living at your property. The bill does not increase if there are more, however if only one person or no-one lives there a discount can be applied.
In some circumstances family carers can be ‘disregarded’ for council tax purposes. This treats them as if they were not living at the property, potentially lowering the bill. You do not need to claim carers allowance to qualify for this discount.
Carers UK provide more information. https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-household-finances/council-tax-rate-relief – sec3
As such you have the right to do what you want to alongside your caring role. Any attempt to prevent you from doing so (e.g. by withdrawing support) is illegal.
Carer’s Allowance is the main benefit for family carers and currently paid at a rate of £67.60 per week. It is not available to every family carer but you could be eligible if you meet all of the following conditions
- You look after someone who gets a qualifying disability benefit
- You look after that person for at least 35 hours a week
- You are aged 16 or over
- You are not in full-time education
- You don’t earn over £128 a week (after deductions)
- You satisfy UK residence and presence conditions.
Carer’s Allowance is not a means-tested benefit so is not based on your income and capital. You can only be paid Carer’s Allowance if your earnings from work are under a certain capped amount.
For more information see the Carers UK factsheet https://www.carersuk.org/images/Factsheets/2021-22_factsheets/Carers_Allowance_2021-22_April.pdf
Local authorities are obliged to ensure Adults and Children’s services meet the needs of the whole family, and that inappropriate or excessive carering by young carers is prevented. This is in line with their duties under the Care Act 2014 and The Children & Families Act 2014
All employees have the legal right to take ‘reasonable’ time off work to deal with an emergency involving a dependant. This may be your husband, wife or partner, child or someone living with you as part of your family. It may also include others who rely on you for help. Whether this time off is paid or not is at the discretion of your employer.
The Government has recently set out new proposals to introduce a right to one-week’s unpaid leave for family carers balancing a job with caring responsibilities.
Caring does not have to be your full time job. You have the right to take time off and focus on “you”, and your needs. Suffolk Family Carers understand that taking a break can be difficult so have two schemes that may help. You can also talk to one of our advisers who will help you explore other options which allow you to take a rest.
Neurological Care Break Scheme – may provide help for those caring for a person aged 18+ with a neurological disability, and who are identified as a family carer fulfilling a significant caring role
Respite On Prescription – may provide help for those who require an operation or clinical intervention that they are putting off because of their caring role
As winter approaches it’s a good idea to be as prepared as possible. From keeping water running to charging medical equipment or simply staying warm, it’s vital to keep utilities going in the event of a problem. This may be your gas, electricity or water supply. The utilities ‘Priority Services Register’ can help you do this.
If you are caring for someone who is vulnerable, requires additional assistance or has additional communication needs you can sign up. Register by contacting your utility provider. It is free and can help you and the person you carer for stay safe, warm and independent in their own home.
As well as help in an emergency there are other benefits to being on a Priority Services Register including advance notice of planned power cuts or interruptions to water supply, help with accessing prepayment meters, receiving bills in an alternative format and more.
To find out more about the Priority Services Register visit the Ofgem website or contact your utility providers – their contact details are on your bills.
Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance credit that helps with gaps in your National Insurance record. Your State Pension is based on your National Insurance record.
If you are eligible for Carer’s Credit you can get credits to help fill gaps in your National Insurance record. This means you can take on caring responsibilities without affecting your ability to qualify for the State Pension in the future.
Visit https://www.gov.uk/carers-credit/eligibility for more information on carers credit eligibility, or for general information on national insurance credits visit https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/eligibility
If you are not happy with the service you receive from anybody (e.g. Suffolk County Council, local NHS services or even Suffolk Family Carers) you can, and should complain. We recommend you get help from a trusted family member or friend. You can also get help from Suffolk Family Carers, or a local law service.
Our tips to help you are;
Make contact in writing with the service or team responsible for decisions affecting your rights. This maybe a letter or email. Include as much information as possible
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive escalate up the management chain, even to the top.
If possible follow the official complaints procedure of the organisation you are dissatisfied with. It should be available on their website e.g. https://suffolkfamilycarers.org/complaints-procedure/. These procedures are there to help, have timescales for action, and outline escalation processes.
Be clear what we are asking for, stay focussed on your rights and the impact on you and the person you care-for. A trusted friend or family member can be helpful.
Remain Calm even if we’re not feeling it, especially when communicating with others staying calm is best. Do not react immediately, pace yourself, take regular deep breaths or time out. Take things at your own pace
Many family carers tell us that they feel guilty about some of the thoughts and feelings they experience about their caring role. This is normal.
For more information on how to recognise and manage these emotions please contact our information hub on hello@suffolkfamilycarers.org, or book a place on one of our fantastic workshops
The ‘nearest relative’ is a legal term used in the Mental Health Act to give an individual certain rights under the law. Who this is is defined by the law, and may be a different person to ‘next of kin’. The Next of kin has no legal powers under the mental health act.
The general rule is that the ‘Nearest Relative is the person who comes highest on the below list, but there are other rules that may affect who the ‘nearest relative’ will be. If someone is cared for, or lives with a relative on this list, that person is likely to legally be the ‘Nearest relative’, irrespective of their next of kin.
- Husband, wife or civil partner
- Son or daughter
- Father or mother
- Brother or sister
- Grandparent
- Grandchild
- Uncle or aunt
- Niece or nephews
You have the right to go to the toilet undisturbed.
Sometimes this is the only place you can be alone. Don’t feel guilty about spending a few extra minutes to take a break if things are getting too much
