Carers' rights
If you're a carer, you have certain rights, including employment rights, having an assessment and receiving direct payments.
Carers right to an assessment
If you are aged 16 and provide regular and significant care for someone aged 18 or over, you have the right to an assessment of your needs as a carer.
If there is more than one carer providing regular care in your household, you are both entitled to an assessment.
Occasionally a 16 or 17-year-old who cares for someone for a limited period may be entitled to an assessment.
Your Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust is responsible for a young carer's well-being and making sure they get the support they need.
If you have parental responsibility for a child with disabilities, you have the right to a carer's assessment. You don't need to be the child's parent.
HSC Trusts must make sure all carers know they're entitled to an assessment of their needs and to consider a carer's outside interests, such as work, study or leisure, when carrying out an assessment.
Carers and direct payments
A direct payment is cash payment by a trust to a carer if they assess that a carer needs social services.
The Trust can make a direct payment instead of providing services directly.
Direct payments can be made to carers aged 16 or over.
There are some circumstances where direct payments are not given. The trust can explain these circumstances.
Carers and employment rights
Working parents of children with disabilities (under the age of 18) have the right to request flexible working arrangements.
You also have a legal right to ask your employer for flexible working if you care for an adult who is a family member and lives with you.
Carers have the right to take unpaid time off work for dependants in an emergency.
Returning to work after being a carer may have an impact on any entitlements and benefits you receive as a carer.
The amount of hours you do, how much you earn, and your savings will be taken into consideration.