Know Your Rights: Use Your Rights Quiz

Correct

That's correct. Carers Rights Day is about raising awareness of the rights the UK’s unpaid family carers, to help them get the support they need, and the recognition they deserve. This year's theme for Carers Rights Day is 'Know Your Rights: Use Your Rights'.

Not Quite

That's not quite right. Whilst carers deserve to be celebrated and charities would appreciate more donations, Carers Rights Day is about raising awareness of the rights the UK’s unpaid family carers, to help them get the support they need, and the recognition they deserve.

Correct

That's correct. it is illegal to coerce or force someone to become a family carer, or to demand they do certain tasks and hours.

If you choose to become 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 can also change your mind at any point.

Not Quite

That's not quite right. Whether you are a relative, live with the person you care for or are over 18, it is illegal for some to try to coerce or force you to be a family carer, or to demand you do certain tasks and hours.

It is entirely your choice to be a family carer and 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 can also change your mind at any point.

Correct

That's correct, The Carer’s Leave Act 2023 came into force in April 2024 and gives every family carer the right to ask for Unpaid Carer’s Leave from their employer. This is a a flexible entitlement to one week’s unpaid leave per year and must be provided to all employees who are providing or arranging care for a relative or dependant.

Not Quite

That's not quite right. The Carer’s Leave Act 2023 came into force in April 2024 and gives every family carer the right to ask for one week’s unpaid leave per year from their employer.

Your employer's policy may be more generous, but you are legally entitled to one week per year of unpaid leave.

Correct

That's correct. Even if you are a family carer, relative or next of kin the responsibility for the care and support of any adult lies with the Local Authority not you!

Not Quite

That's not quite right. The responsibility for the care and support of any adult lies with the Local Authority, even if you are the persons family carer, relative or next of kin.

Correct

That's correct. A Carers Assessment is a conversation with a professional adviser to 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.

Not Quite

That's not quite right. We are often told that family carers don't want a carers assessment as they feel their responsibilities will be taken away if they aren't well-enough, or skilled enough or even financially secure, but it is far from that.

A Carers Assessment is a conversation with a professional adviser to 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.

Correct

That's correct. '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 Act, and may be a different person to ‘next of kin’.

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 impact who the ‘nearest relative’ will be.

1. Husband, Wife or civil partner
2. Son or Daughter
3. Father or Mother
4. Brother or Sister
5. Grandparent
6. Grandchild
7. Uncle or Aunt
8. Niece or Nephew

Not Quite

That's not quite right, this is a really tricky one. 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 Act, and may be a different person to ‘next of kin’.

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.

1. Husband, Wife or civil partner
2. Son or Daughter
3. Father or Mother
4. Brother or Sister
5. Grandparent
6. Grandchild
7. Uncle or Aunt
8. Niece or Nephew

Correct

That's correct. As becoming a family carer is completely your choice, you can decide at any time that you want to change your role. Whether that is how much you do, what you do or if you continue at all.

Not Quite

That's not quite right. Becoming a  family carer is completely your choice and you do not need anyone's permission to change your caring role. Trying to force you to care in a way you do not wish is illegal.

Correct

That's correct. The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023, which came into effect in April 2024, means family carers only need to be employed for 1 day before they can request flexible working to support their caring role.

Employers have a duty to deal with your request as soon as possible, within a reasonable time and must give careful consideration to your request. Your employer can only refuse your request if they have good business reasons and this should be explained in writing, including relevant and accurate facts.

Not Quite

That's not quite right.  The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 family carers only need to be employed for 1 day before they can request flexible working. This Act came into effect on April 2024 and replaced the previous 26 weeks employment required before flexible working  could be requested.

Employers have a duty to deal with all requests as soon as possible, within a reasonable time and must give careful consideration to each request. Employers can only refuse a request if they have good business reasons and this should be explained in writing, including relevant and accurate facts.

Correct

That's correct. 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.

Not Quite

That's not quite right. You may be eligible for free dental check-ups, prescriptions and eye tests, but this isn't because you are a family carer. However, as the main family carer for someone you do have the right to a free flu jab.

Correct

That's correct. Carer’s Allowance a benefit for family carers and is currently paid at a rate of £83.30 per week. It is not available to every family carer but you could be eligible if you meet certain criteria.

Not Quite

That's not quite right. Carer’s Allowance a benefit for family carers and is currently paid at a rate of £83.30 per week. It is not available to every family carer but you could be eligible if you meet certain criteria. The other benefits may also be available to your but are all means-tested.

Correct

That's correct. The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 gives family carers the right to request flexible working from the first day of employment.

It is also worth knowing

The Carers Leave Act gives employees to right to take up to one week of unpaid leave each year to care for the person they care for.

The Equality Act means it is unlawful to discriminate against someone based on age, disability, gender, race,sexuality, religion or belief. The Act also protects unpaid family carers from discrimination by association, meaning they are protected because of their relationship with someone who has a protected characteristic like age or disability.

Not Quite

That's not quite right. The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 gives family carers the right to request flexible working from the first day of employment.

The Carers Leave Act gives employees to right to take up to one week of unpaid leave each year to care for the person they care for.

The Equality Act means it is unlawful to discriminate against someone based on age, disability, gender, race,sexuality, religion or belief. The Act also protects unpaid family carers from discrimination by association, meaning they are protected because of their relationship with someone who has a protected characteristic like age or disability.

The Health and Care Act introduces significant reforms to the NHS, aiming to improve health outcomes by integrating NHS, social care and public health services at a local level.

Correct

That's correct. As a family carer you may be able to sign-up to the utilities ‘Priority Services Register’, which gives you advance warning to planned power cuts or interruptions of water shortages. It may also make you a priority to reconnection sooner after the outage

Not Quite

That's not quite right. As a family carer you may be able to sign-up to the utilities ‘Priority Services Register’, which gives you advance warning to planned power cuts or interruptions of water shortages. It also may make you a priority for reconnection sooner.

Correct

That's correct. Employees have the legal right to take a 'reasonable' amount of time off work to deal with an emergency involving someone who relies on you for help (as a dependant). Whether this time off is paid or not is at the discretion of your employer.

Family carers are also legally entitled to up to one-week of unpaid carers leave per year. Family Carers must give their employer notice before the start of their carers leave and the minimum notice  will depend on how many days of leave being taken.

Not Quite

That's not quite right.

Employees have the legal right to take a 'reasonable' amount of time off work to deal with an emergency involving someone who relies on you for help (as a dependant). Whether this time off is paid or not is at the discretion of your employer.

Family carers are also legally entitled to up to one-week of unpaid carers leave per year. Family Carers must give their employer notice before the start of their carers leave and the minimum notice  will depend on how many days of leave being taken.