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Rights and entitlements

This video explains why it is important that carers have access to support and advice about their rights. Carer Sharon Coleman describes her experience of discrimination at work and how she successfully fought for her rights at the European Court.


Carers’ Legislation

  • Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995
  • Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002

The above legislation established a carers right to an assessment in their own right, a duty on local authorities to take into account carers' views when putting together a community care package and a duty on NHS boards to produce Carer Information Strategies. For more information download the 'Carers and their Rights' law guide.

Scotland's Carers Strategy - 'Caring Together'

On 26 July 2010 Scotland's new carers strategy was launched and for the first time recognised carers as equal partners in care. Some of the priority actions for govenment include:

  • development of a Carers Rights Charter
  • support for carer identification by health and social care workforce
  • improvements in the uptake and quality of carers assessments and support plans
  • investment in carer (and workforce) training and in short breaks

For more information visit the Coalition of Carers in Scotland website.


NHS Lothian Carer Information Strategy

This local strategy aims to ensure carers are well informed and supported, includes the aims that carers:

  • are recognised as key partners in  the provision of care
  • are treated with respect and dignity whatever their gender, race, age, sexuality, faith and ability
  • are supported by the NHS and partner agencies to continue to care as much and as long as they wish and are able to
  • have the right to negotiate and renegotiate their caring input at any time
  • are entitled to general information about the condition and medication, even if the person who is being cared for does not consent to specific personal information being shared

For more information download the Carer Information Startegy summary booklet.


Carers and employment

The Work and Families Act 2006 gives carers of adults the right to request flexible working, building on the existing rights which were introduced in April 2003 for parents of a disabled child under 18. Carers in employment now have more statutory rights to help them manage their work and caring responsibilities.For more information visit the Directgov website.


Equalities Act 2010

This new act began on 1 Ocotber 2010 and brings new legislation to protect carers from direct discrimination or harassment because of their caring responsibilities. The Government Equalities Office (GEO) has produced a series of guides including 'Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know as a carer?'. For more information visit http://www.equalities.gov.uk/equality_act_2010/equality_act_2010_what_do_i_n.aspx