Carers’ Rights Day happens every year across the UK, and in 2025 it is on 20 November. The aim is simple, to make sure you know your rights as a carer and can use them with confidence.
Every day, thousands of people become unpaid carers for a partner, family member or a friend – many of whom do not see themselves as carers. They are often unaware of their legal rights and what they are entitled to in terms of support and benefits. Our aim is to help carers recognise and understand their rights, and to access the support available to them, whenever they need it.
As a carer you have a right to:
- Unpaid carer’s leave
- Flexible working
- Asking your GP to identify you as a carer
- Protection from discrimination
- Free flu jabs
- Requesting a carer’s assessment
- Being involved in hospital discharge planning
The ‘Our Dorset’ ambition is for everyone to have the best possible health and care outcomes and live healthier, longer and more fulfilling lives. That’s why our NHS organisations, councils and voluntary and community partners are working together in partnership to recognise, support and value unpaid carers of all ages in Dorset County.
These organisations include:
- Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole Council including BCP Carer Support and Young Carers.
- Dorset Council including partners Carer Support Dorset
- Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust
- NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board
- Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust (Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole Hospitals)
- Forward Carers, Parent Carer Foundation, Help and Kindness, SWAN Advocacy, Healthwatch,
- Help & Care, Leonardo Trust, MYTIME Young Carers, Pramalife, NHS Healthcare, Minstead Trust.
This years theme for Carers Rights Day is: ‘Know your rights, use your rights’. There are 7 nationally recognised ‘Carers Rights’. This year we’ve focused in on the campaign’s purpose by developing information and advice to carers specifically around carers’ rights. The Our Dorset Carers Rights Day page now explains each of the official rights carers have, what they mean in practice, and what you can do if your rights aren’t being met:
- Your right to ask your GP practice to identify you as a carer
- Your right to be consulted when the person you care for is being discharged from hospital
- Your right to protection against discrimination or harassment
- Your right to request a carers assessment
- Your right (and choice) to request a free flu jab
- Your right to request flexible working
- Your right to unpaid carers leave
As a carer, knowing your rights empowers you with information about what you are entitled to. This helps you feel confident asking for what you need, as well as challenging things when your rights are not being met – whether that be in the workplace or education, in accessing health or social care, or when interacting with other professionals or at home.
There are a variety of events and activities happening across Dorset to celebrate Carers Rights Day – you can explore them all here: Carers Rights Day 2025: Know Your Rights in Dorset – Our Dorset.
