Your Rights
As Carer you have certain rights that exist to help reduce the impact of caring. If you would like to speak to somoeone about your rights and how they are affected as a Carer, please contact our team.
Be Identified as a Carer
If you are a Carer, you have the right to be identified as one. You canregister as a Carer with your Gp, and register with your local Carers’ Centre. In Forth Valley we also have the Forth Valley Carers Card which can help you to self-identify as a Carer in health and social care settings, plus it can be used in other situations where showing you are a Carer may be beneficial.
Carer Support Plans & Young Carer Statements
Every Carer in Scotland has a right to have support plan completed which looks at the impact of their caring role and identifies areas where support is needed. This helps you to see how your caring role is currently impacting your life, plus includes emergency and future planning. You can find out more abut Carer Support Plans here.
Employment Rights
Under the Work and Families Act (2006) you have the right to request flexible working after 26 weeks’ continuous employment. Employers must make reasonable adjustments to accommodate your request. You also have the right to time off (unpaid) in an emergency to care for a dependent.
Some employers may also give you additional ‘contractual rights’ which can be more generous than your statutory rights. Check with your employer to see if they provide additional support for Carers.
The Carers Scotland Looking After Someone booklet has more in depth information on your employment rights as a Carer.
Protection from Discrimination
Under the Equality Act (2010) Carers are protected from direct discrimination or harassment because of caring responsibilities.
The Equality Advisory Service has a useful booklet ‘Equality Act 2010: What Do I Need To Know As A Carer’ that explains in more details what your rights are under the Equality Act.
Free Flu Vaccinations
If you are the main Carer for an elderly or disabled person, or receive Carer’s Allowance then you are eligible for a free flu vaccination. You can register as a Carer with your GP to be notified when these are available, or you can visit www.nhsinform.scot/carersregister to self-register.
Registered Carers may also have access to additional support such as health check ups and flexible appointments. Speak to your GP about what they can offer.
Consultation on Hospital Discharge
If the person you care for is being discharged from hospital, the hospital must identify and consult you, where possible. Under the Carers Act, your wishes and those of the person you care for must be considered before they are discharged. You should identify yourself as a Carer at the hospital as soon as possible and let them know how to contact you.
The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016
On 1st April 2018 the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 came into effect. The Act extends and enhances the rights of Carers in Scotland to help improve their health and wellbeing, so that they can continue to care, if they so wish, and have a life alongside caring.
The Act provides new rights to Carers in a number of areas. These include:
a duty for local authorities to provide support to Carers, based on the Carer’s identified needs which meet the local eligibility criteria
a right to an Adult Carer Support Plan and Young Carer Statement to identify your needs and personal outcomes. This is available to Carers of all ages, no matter what their caring role is.
a requirement for local authorities to have an information and advice service for Carers which provides information and advice on, amongst other things, emergency and future care planning, advocacy, income maximisation and Carers’ rights
a duty on the NHS to inform and involve you if the person you care for is discharged from hospital.
You can download a copy of the Carers Charter which tells you all about the rights of Carers under the Act.
