Carers Rights Day: Know and Protect Your Rights

This article has been drafted by the Shine Legal Panel to help you understand your rights as a parent/carer.

21st November marks Carers Rights Awareness Day, a day dedicated to highlighting the rights and responsibilities of carers. As a parent/carer, you play a vital role in your child’s life, and there might be more support and protection available to you than you’re currently accessing. Looking after yourself is not selfish; it is vital for you to be able to continue to support and look after your family.

What are Carers’ Rights?

Carers’ rights are a set of entitlements designed to support individuals who provide unpaid care to family members or friends. The rights are made law through various pieces of legislation, including the Care Act 2014, the Equality Act 2010, and the Children and Families Act 2014.

As a first step to exploring your rights as a carer, you can request a carer's assessment from your local authority. This assessment will help determine your needs and identify any support services that may be available to you.

This might include:

Financial Support: This could be benefits, tax credits, and other financial assistance that will help cover the costs of caring.

Breaks and Respite: Carers have the right to regular breaks and respite care to recharge and maintain their own well-being. The Carers Leave Act 2023 gives all employed carers the right to one week of unpaid leave per year to care for a dependent. This leave can be taken flexibly and does not require a notice period.

Access to Services: This includes access to healthcare, counselling, and other support services to help you cope with the demands of caring.

Protection from Discrimination: Carers are protected from discrimination in employment, education, and other areas of life. Depending on your caring responsibilities, you may be entitled to reasonable adjustments made by your employer to help you meet them.

How to Access Support and Information

Visit your Local Authority Website: Your local council will have useful resources on services and support available to parent carers funded by the council or other organisations, including charities operating within your local community.

Consult Your GP: Your doctor can provide advice and refer you to relevant services.

Join a Carers’ Group: Connecting with other carers can provide emotional support and practical advice. You may be able to find a suitable group through your child's school, your local parent/carer network or through a trusted charity like Shine. Please contact Shine at firstcontact@shinecharity.org.uk or on 01733 555988 or get in touch with your Support and Development Worker.

Seek Legal Advice: If you have legal questions or concerns, a member of the Shine Legal Panel may be able to help you. They can offer advice relating to SEND and mental capacity, and by investigating the events that led to your child’s disability as part of a compensation claim, our experienced colleagues may be able to unlock private funding to help meet your child’s care needs.

By understanding your rights and accessing the support you’re entitled to, you can better manage the challenges of caring and safeguard the well-being of both yourself and your child.