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Carers Rights Day 21 November 2024

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Carers Rights Day is on Thursday 21st November 2024. The theme this year is ‘Recognising Your Rights’ which aims to help carers to understand their legal rights and access available support.

12,000 people become unpaid carers every day. Often they don’t even know they would be classed as carer, and so are unaware of the rights they have or the support available to them.

Key Rights for Carers:

  1. Unpaid Carer’s Leave: The Carer’s Leave Act 2024 allows up to five days of unpaid leave per year for employees juggling work and unpaid care.
  2. Flexible Working: Under the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act, carers can request changes to their working hours, times, or location from day one of employment.
  3. GP Identification: Carers can ask their GP to identify them as carers on their patient records, potentially prioritising them for vaccines and public health campaigns.
  4. Free Flu Jab: Carers can request a free flu jab if they are the main carer for someone at risk or receive Carer’s Allowance.
  5. Protection Against Discrimination: The Equality Act 2010 protects carers from discrimination or harassment due to their caring responsibilities.
  6. Carer’s Assessment: Carers can request an assessment to identify their support needs, known as an adult carer support plan in Scotland and a carer’s needs assessment in Wales.
  7. Hospital Discharge Consultation: Hospitals must consult carers when the person they care for is discharged.

Understanding these rights empowers carers to confidently seek the support they need and challenge any unmet rights.  

Carers Rights Day information Gloucestershire event - reminder
In Gloucestershire, the council and NHS provide support for carers via Gloucestershire Carers Hub (GCH). GCH is hosting an information event for Carers Rights Day:

·         Thursday 21 November 2024

·         Shurdington Community Centre, Bishop Road, Cheltenham, GL51 4TB

·          1.30pm – 6.30pm.

This will give unpaid Carers the opportunity to come along and meet with individual organisations who can offer them advice and support. Find out more

 

The GCC Carers Network
The Carers Network is a group of people who juggle their working life with caring for someone who is unable to look after themselves. Network members are from Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucester City Council, and Gloucestershire Fire and rescue (GFRS).

·         Find out more about the Carers Network, including how to join or be a friend

·         Read how the council supports employees who are carers

Carer Aware e-learning
Our aim is for the whole of Gloucestershire to be Carer Aware which is why we offer a free Adult Carer Awareness e-learning course*.  

Which looks at:

·         Who is an unpaid carer?

·         Carer rights

·         Local support

Visit https://GCC.astute-elearning.com to access the training. Click ‘self-register’. Once you have created your account and logged in, you should see the training course on the homepage.

Please complete this training and encourage your friends and colleagues to do the same.

If you would like to provide any feedback regarding the training, or any other support for carers, please email commissioninghubadult@gloucestershire.gov.uk

 

This Carers Rights Day, take the time to recognise and advocate for carers.

You care, we care!