Lincolnshire County Council is calling for as many organisations and individuals as possible to mark Carers Rights Day on Thursday, 23 November
Organisations are marking the day by ensuring both adult and young carers are aware of their rights, directing carers where to get help and support and to do all they can to raise awareness of the needs of carers.
This year’s Carers Rights Day focuses on recognising the rights of unpaid carers. Unpaid carers are entitled to certain rights which may help them access services, look after their health and wellbeing or could provide vital information and support in looking after partners, family member or friend.
“Carers need to know their rights wherever they are in their caring journey and are able to access the support that is available to them as soon as they need it” said Councillor Wendy Bowkett, executive councillor for adult care and public health. “This Carers Rights Day focuses on those rights that are essential for carers to be able to carry out their caring roles and the necessary support available. Carers have to feel confident asking for what they need and can challenge things when their rights aren’t being met. We’ll continue to champion the needs of our carers in the workplace and the many spread across our county to give them the recognition they deserve.”
Commenting on the important support in place for young carers, Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell OBE, executive councillor for children’s services, added: "It can be particularly challenging for young carers to juggle their caring duties with school, so it’s vital they know their rights and what support is available. The council greatly values the role played by young carers, and we have support available if you need it. We can offer you and your family an opportunity to talk about your caring role and any worries you have, and help you understand you are not on your own by giving you a chance to meet other young carers."
Carers juggling work with caring responsibilities have the right to request flexible working, for instance. Or if you provide unpaid care, you can ask your GP practice to identify you as a carer on your patient record which might help with priority vaccines. If you are the main carer for an older or disabled person, who may be put at risk if you became ill, or if you are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, you have the right to be offered a free flu jab and carers are also a priority group for accessing Covid booster jabs this winter.
If you look after an older or disabled person, the law protects you against direct discrimination or harassment because of your caring responsibilities, so understanding your rights can be useful if you feel you have been treated unfairly because of your caring role. If a carer feels they need support for their role, they can have a carer’s assessment. If you’re over 18 and provide regular unpaid care for someone, you’re entitled to a carer’s assessment - it doesn’t matter how much or what sort of care you provide. And if you are a carer and the person you care for is being discharged from hospital, the hospital must identify and consult with you, where possible.
For further details and information on the above visit Carers UK.
New rights for unpaid carers are just around the corner. The Carer’s Leave Act will become law in 2024. It will give employees juggling work with unpaid care a legal right to request up to five days unpaid leave every twelve months, which will help many manage some of the day-to-day challenges of being a carer – enabling them to stay in employment.
To find support available on the Lincolnshire Carers’ Service, visit our support page and to find out how the Lincolnshire Young Carers Service supports young carers up to the age of 19 visit our young carers page.