Right to an Assessment
As a carer you are entitled to request an assessment. This is completed by Manchester City Council’s adult social services department. To receive an assessment, you may be referred from an organisation currently providing you with support. In all other cases you need to speak to the Carers Manchester Contact Point, who can make a request for an Assessment to be undertaken.
If you have already had an assessment but think you need a review of your support plan or your circumstances have changed, you should contact the Contact Point, rather than go directly to the council.
The Carers Manchester Contact Point can provide you with advice and guidance around the assessment and additional information and support around your caring role. Visit our carers assessments page for more information.
Protection from Discrimination
If you are looking after someone who is older or disabled, the law will protect you from direct discrimination or harassment because of your caring responsibilities. This is because you are counted as being ‘associated’ with someone who is protected by the law because of their age or disability.
The Carers UK website has more information. It explains discrimination by association and harassment. This may be useful if you feel you have been treated unfairly because of your caring role.
It also explains other forms of discrimination. This may be useful if you feel the person you are looking after has been treated unfairly because of their age or disability. This may include unfair treatment in relation to the workplace, education, housing, when buying goods or services or accessing public services.
Rights in Work
Carers (like all employees) are entitled to the right to request flexible working from the first day of working with their employer; this is a statutory right. As a carer you may be given more favourable rights and allowances contractually, but this is down to your employer.
Carers also have a right to unpaid carer’s leave from the first day of employment. Carers can take up to 1 week of carer’s leave every 12 months, but it can be taken flexibly as needed, for example in half days.
The best way to see what rights you have with your employer is to see if they have a current carers policy. This should address any additional ways they are willing to support you in your caring role.
There is more information about your rights in work on the Carers UK website – and more information about flexible working on the Carers UK website and ACAS website.
Rights with health services
You have a right to ask your GP practice to be identified as a carer on your records. This can help you to get access to a free flu jab and potentially other public health campaigns. If you would like a flu jab, speak to your GP or pharmacist.
As a carer you also have rights when the person you care for is in hospital. Hospitals need to identify you as a carer and should speak to you before the person you care for is discharged from the hospital.
You can find more information about these issues on the Carers UK website, using these links:
Legal Rights
It is very important that carers plan for their own future and that of the person they care for.
Age UK has some useful information on their website on legal issues and information such as making a will, power of attorney and paying for a funeral.
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust have put together this useful booklet on Lasting Power of Attorney advice for carers, family and friends.