Understanding your rights as a carer is an important step towards accessing the support, information, and services available to help you maintain your health, wellbeing, and quality of life.
Many carers are unaware of the rights and protections available to them. Whether you are supporting a spouse, parent, child, family member, friend, or neighbour, knowing your rights can help ensure you receive the support you need alongside your caring responsibilities.
The Care Act 2014, which came into effect on 1 April 2015, introduced the most significant reform to care and support legislation in over 60 years.
The Act aims to place the wellbeing of individuals and carers at the centre of decision-making and gives carers greater recognition and stronger legal rights than ever before. Key principles of the Care Act include:
The Care Act recognises that carers play a vital role in society and should receive appropriate support to maintain their own wellbeing.
Recognising yourself as a carer and understanding your rights can help you access support, maintain your wellbeing, and balance caring with other aspects of your life.
The rights available to you may vary depending on your circumstances, age, and who you care for.
One of the most important rights available to carers is the right to request a Carer’s Assessment.
A Carer’s Assessment looks at how caring affects your life and whether support may be available to help you continue in your caring role whilst maintaining your own wellbeing.
The Care Act 2014 strengthened the rights of adult carers to receive a Carer’s Assessment.
Local authorities must consider:
For the first time, the legislation established a clear duty for local authorities to consider support for carers who meet the eligibility criteria.
The Children and Families Act recognises the rights of parent carers.
Local authorities must carry out an assessment if:
These assessments help identify support that may assist both the parent and the child.
Young carers are individuals under the age of 18 who provide care and support for another person.
Their rights primarily arise from:
Where a disabled adult receives support, local authorities should consider whether children are involved in providing care and assess how this affects their wellbeing, education, and development.
In some areas, local authorities may commission charities or specialist organisations to undertake assessments on their behalf.
Many carers balance employment alongside their caring responsibilities.
Whilst this can be rewarding and financially important, it can also present significant challenges.
Some carers may choose to leave employment to focus on caring responsibilities. However, many people wish to continue working and find that employment provides:
Successfully combining work and caring often requires planning, communication, and support. Helpful approaches include:
With the right support and practical strategies, many carers successfully balance both roles.
Legal information and carers’ rights can sometimes feel complex and overwhelming.
North Staffs Carers can help you understand your rights, access information, and identify support that may be available to you.
Whether you need guidance about assessments, employment, wellbeing, or accessing support services, our team is here to help.
Understanding your legal rights as a carer can help you access support, improve your wellbeing, and make informed decisions about your caring role.
