Key rights for unpaid carers

If you care for someone without pay – whether it’s a family member, friend or neighbour – you have rights, and knowing what those rights are can help lighten the load. Whether it’s access to carer’s leave, free flu jabs or financial support, these entitlements exist to support your wellbeing.

Here are some of the key rights and entitlements you should be aware of:

Right to a Carer’s Assessment

Like many carers, you may find it easier to continue in your caring role if you can access support. If you are over 18 and regularly provide unpaid care for someone, you are legally entitled to this assessment to identify what support and assistance you may need.

How to get a Carer’s Assessment

For an individual assessment, you can contact the Reading & West Berkshire Carers Partnership, which is made up of four charities who conduct the assessments on behalf of Reading Borough Council.  See what category you fit below and contact the relevant organisation.

Caring for a child or adult with a learning disability in Reading?

Reading Mencap

0118 926 3600

carers@readingmencap.org.uk

Caring for someone 50+ years in Reading?

Age UK Reading

07716 418 941

carers@ageukreading.org.uk

Caring for someone 50+ years in West Berkshire?

Age UK Berkshire

0118 959 4242

info@ageukberkshire.org.uk 

For all other carers in Reading & West Berkshire:

CommuniCare

0118 926 3941

office@communicare.org.uk

Your right to request Carer’s Leave under the Carer’s Leave Act

The Carer’s Leave Act, introduced in 2024, grants employees who are juggling work with unpaid care the right to take up to five days of unpaid leave annually. This provides essential flexibility to manage some of the practical demands of caring while remaining in work.

Your right to request flexible working

Thanks to the new Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act, anyone — including unpaid carers — can formally request changes to their hours, work pattern, or location from their very first day of employment. Furthermore, you can now adjust your flexible working arrangement more frequently than once a year.

Your right to ask your GP practice to identify you as a carer

Your GP may not necessarily be aware you are a carer. You can ask your GP practice to identify you as a carer on your patient record; this means you could benefit from a free flu jab and other health and wellbeing options. Your GP practice may also offer flexibility with appointments for you and/or the person you care for.

The right (and choice) to ask for a free flu jab

As a carer, to safeguard your health and that of the person you look after, you have the right to request a free flu jab, if you’d like to. This is typically offered if you are the main carer for an older or disabled person whose health would be at risk if you became ill, or if you receive Carer’s Allowance.

Your right to protection from discrimination

If you look after an older or disabled person, the law (Equality Act 2010) protects you against direct discrimination or harassment because of you 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.

Your right to be consulted when the person you care for is discharged from hospital

Carers have important new rights at hospital discharge. NHS hospital trusts in England must ensure unpaid carers are involved as soon as possible when plans for a patient’s discharge after treatment are made. This covers all carers of adults needing care and support following hospital discharge, including healthcare support such as continuing healthcare.

For information or advice, please call us on 0118 966 2518 or email carers@readingmencap.org.uk