Carers Rights Day 2025, led by Carers UK, is a crucial date in the calendar, focusing on one powerful and empowering theme: 'Know your rights, use your rights.'

There are millions of unpaid carers across the UK and, for many, the commitment is a 24/7 role that can be isolating and challenging. This day is all about ensuring that you are fully aware of the rights you have that you as a carer are entitled to. It’s time for carers to feel empowered to use them and get the support you deserve.

At Carefree, we understand that getting a break is vital to prioritising your own wellbeing. Something as simple as a 1-2 night break for some well-earned rest can feel life-changing and provides the chance to get back to themselves. But breaks are just one piece of the puzzle, knowing your legal rights is another.

We’re here with the key rights you should know and use this Carers Rights Day:

1. The Right to Request a Carer's Assessment

For many carers, continuing in your caring role is significantly easier if you have access to support and assistance. If it appears that you have needs for support, you have the right to request a formal assessment.

• What is a Carer’s Assessment? It’s a formal conversation about your needs, the impact of caring on your life, and what support could help you. There’s no need to revise, just be completely honest about how caring affects you day to day life, mentally emotionally and physically. They will then be able to help you find support.

• What is it called elsewhere? In Scotland, this is called an adult carer support plan, and in Wales, it’s a carer's needs assessment.

• Who qualifies? It does not matter how much or the type of care you provide. If you are over the age of 18 and provide unpaid care for someone, you have the right to a Carer’s Assessment. 

Read more about how to request and prepare for this assessment in our detailed guide.

2. The Right to Be Identified as a Carer by Your GP

Looking after your own health is critical when you are looking after someone else. One important step is asking your GP practice to identify you as a carer on your patient record.

• The benefit: Being identified as a carer on your medical file may mean you fall into a priority group for vaccines or other public health campaigns.

• Flu Jab entitlement: As a carer, you have the right to request a free flu jab. Eligibility for a vaccine includes those who receive Carer’s Allowance, or those who are the main carer for an older or disabled person who would be put at risk if the carer became ill. You can ask your GP or in your local pharmacy.

Prioritise your health. It’s an investment in your ability to care.

3. The Right to Request Leave and Flexible Working

For the millions of carers who are also working, recent changes in law have provided support:

• Carer's Leave Act 2024: This act gives eligible employees who are trying to balance work with unpaid care the right to up to five days’ unpaid leave per year. This new right was made to help carers manage and, crucially, stay in employment.

• The Right to Request Flexible Working: The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act grants everyone, including unpaid carers, the right to request flexible working, changes to their hours, work times, or location, from their very first day of employment.

4. The Right to Wellbeing

Under the Care Act 2014, 'wellbeing' is a core principle that local authorities must actively promote for both the person needing care and unpaid carers. This principle is comprehensive and covers key areas like:

• Physical and mental health

• Safety from abuse

• Personal dignity

• Control over one’s life

• Participation in society and personal relationships

The Act requires local authorities to actively seek improvements in these areas, rather than just responding to crises.

Taking a break is a fundamental part of maintaining your wellbeing. At Carefree, we actively prioritise this. We provide 1-2 night hotel breaks with breakfast included, giving carers a chance to rest, recharge, and rediscover their sense of self. We have provided over 17,000 hotel breaks, and the testimonials speak for themselves.