What are my rights as a working carer?
Your rights in work come from two sources:
- The law gives you ‘statutory rights’ which everyone has.
- Your contract of employment gives you ‘contractual rights’ which can be more generous than statutory rights.
In this section, we provide guidance about your statutory and contractual rights as a working carer. It's always worth checking your contract of employment, staff handbook, HR policies or letter of appointment to see if you have any contractual rights on top of your statutory rights.
Note: For further information about your general rights, see the gov.uk website.
For a summary of your statutory rights, you can also take a look at our factsheet, Your rights in work.
Find out more about your rights at work
Latest updates
Press Release
Andy Burnham is right to make social care an early priority as the UK's next Prime Minister
17 July 26
In a video posted on Facebook, the incoming Prime Minister speaks to voters in Cardiff city centre and mentions his plans for social care, saying that “if there’s one area I’m going to expend quite a lot of political capital, it’s going to be on social care.”
Press Release
Response to ADASS Spring survey report
15 July 26
Carers UK responds to the publication of the ADASS Spring Survey 2026 today
Press Release
Launch of cross- government Carers Action Plan
14 July 26
Today, the Government has launched a cross-government Carers Action Plan signed by four Ministers, across health and social care, welfare, work and education.
Press Release
Care Quality Commission publishes report on assessments by Local Authorities
14 July 26
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published a report drawing together findings from the first-ever national programme of assessments of local authorities in England, including the identification and support offered to unpaid carers.
Got a question about caring?
Every day we hear from people who need help with looking after a friend or family member
Become a member for free
Joining Carers UK is free and takes just a few minutes.