Carers Rights Day 2026 is fast approaching.
Taking place on Thursday 19 November 2026, this year’s theme is ‘Someone You Know Is a Carer – But Do They Know It Yet?’.
It shines a light on the thousands of people who provide unpaid care every day without necessarily recognising themselves as Carers.
The 2021 UK census revealed that there were around 6 million unpaid Carers in the UK, but the 2026 Carers Week study suggested that this number may actually be closer to 11.6 million.
Whilst the number of unpaid Carers in the UK is rising, the discrepancy also reflects the reality that many unpaid Carers may never consider themselves to be a Carer.
At Forward Carers, we understand how important it is to reach people who may not identify as Carers.
Through our work across local communities, we continue to raise awareness, identify hidden Carers and help people understand the support available to them.
This includes research into the experiences of different communities, including migrant communities across the West Midlands, to better understand the barriers that may prevent people from recognising their caring role or seeking support.
Carers Rights Day is an opportunity to build on this work, ensuring that more unpaid Carers feel recognised, valued and empowered to understand and exercise their rights.
Why do Carers’ Rights matter?
Carers’ Rights exist to help ensure that your caring responsibilities do not mean having to put every other aspect of your life on hold.
They can help you access practical and emotional support, balance caring with employment and have your voice heard when decisions are made about the person you support.
Understanding your rights is not just about knowing what support is available. It’s about recognising that you deserve support, too.
What are your Carers’ Rights?
As an unpaid Carer, there are several important rights to help you manage your caring responsibilities while looking after your own wellbeing.
Here are seven key rights we are encouraging you to focus on this Carers Rights Day.
1. The right to request a Carer’s Assessment
If you provide unpaid care for someone, you have the right to request a free Carer’s Assessment from your local council, regardless of how many hours of care you provide.
A Carer’s Assessment focuses on you and how your caring responsibilities affect different aspects of your life.
This includes your physical and emotional wellbeing, relationships, employment and personal goals.
It provides an opportunity to talk openly about the challenges you may face, explore your needs and identify support that could make your caring role more manageable.
Why does this matter?
A Carer’s Assessment is an important opportunity to focus on your own wellbeing.
It helps you access practical support, explore opportunities for a break from caring and make plans that support both you and the person you care for.
2. The right to ask your GP practice to identify you as a Carer
You can ask your GP practice to record that you are an unpaid Carer on your medical record.
This helps healthcare professionals recognise your caring responsibilities and understand how they may affect your physical and emotional health.
Being registered as a Carer also helps your GP practice identify you for relevant vaccination programmes, health information and additional support.
Why does this matter?
When you’re busy looking after someone else, it’s easy to overlook your own health.
Making your GP aware of your caring role helps ensure your needs are recognised too.
3. The right to request a free flu vaccination
Looking after your own health is particularly important when someone else depends on you.
Unpaid Carers who meet NHS eligibility criteria can receive a free annual flu vaccination.
This includes people who are the main Carer for someone whose wellbeing may be at risk if their Carer becomes unwell.
If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible, speak to your GP practice or local pharmacy.
Why does this matter?
Getting vaccinated can help protect your own health and reduce the risk of passing flu to someone who may be particularly vulnerable.
It’s a simple but important way of looking after yourself while continuing to support the person you care for.
4. The right to unpaid Carer’s Leave
Employees have a legal right to take up to one working week of unpaid Carer’s Leave every 12 months to provide or arrange care for someone with a long-term care need.
This right applies from your first day of employment and can provide valuable flexibility when managing your caring role.
For example, you might use Carer’s Leave to arrange additional support, accompany someone to an appointment or manage changes in their care needs.
Why does this matter?
An estimated 1.1 million people have left employment to care within the last two years, the equivalent of 1,500 people every day.
Carer’s Leave can help you manage your responsibilities without having to use your annual leave, giving you greater flexibility to balance work and caring.
Speak to your employer to understand how to request Carer’s Leave and what arrangements are available within your workplace.
5. The right to request flexible working
Under flexible working legislation, employees have the right to request changes to their working arrangements from their first day of employment.
This could include adjusting your working hours, changing your start or finish times, working from home or exploring alternative working patterns.
Employers must consider requests reasonably.
Why does this matter?
Flexible working arrangements can make a significant difference to your ability to balance caring responsibilities with your career.
They can help you remain in employment, maintain financial stability and protect your wellbeing, while continuing to provide support to the person you care for.
6. The right to be involved when the person you care for is discharged from hospital
When someone you care for is in hospital, it can be an emotional and uncertain time.
You may have questions about their recovery, the support they’ll need at home and what will be expected of you once they leave hospital.
NHS organisations and local authorities must involve Carers in hospital discharge planning where appropriate, while respecting the wishes, consent and confidentiality of the person receiving care.
This gives you an opportunity to raise concerns, ask questions and explain what support you are realistically able and willing to provide.
Why does this matter?
Being involved in discharge planning can help you feel more informed, prepared and confident about the next steps.
It also helps healthcare professionals understand your circumstances and plan a safe transition from hospital to home.
It’s important to remember, though, that being a Carer does not mean you have to take on responsibilities that you are unable or unwilling to manage.
7. The right to protection against discrimination or harassment
Under the Equality Act 2010, Carers are protected against certain forms of discrimination and harassment because of their association with someone who has a disability.
This means that you should not experience unlawful discrimination simply because you care for a disabled person.
Why does this matter?
Your caring responsibilities should not prevent you from being treated fairly or accessing opportunities.
Understanding these protections can give you greater confidence to recognise and challenge discrimination, helping create more inclusive workplaces and communities where Carers feel respected and valued.
Find out More
If you provide unpaid care for someone, or think someone you know might be a Carer, support is available.
Contact your local Carers Hub to find out about Carer’s Assessments, wellbeing support, practical advice and opportunities to connect with other Carers.
