Know Your Rights as a Working Carer
Our Comprehensive Guide to Employment Rights and Support
Looking after someone while working can be challenging. Find out what your rights are as a working carer and how to access support.
Carers in Cornwall: Key Statistics
50,000
Unpaid Carers in Cornwall
50,000
Cornwall Residents with a Disability
5%
Provide 20+ Hours Of Care Per Week
40%
Of Carers Have Given Up Work
About Caring in Cornwall
Cornwall has one of the highest caring populations in England. Approximately 50,000 people in Cornwall provide unpaid care — that's nearly 1 in 10 Cornish residents aged 5 and over. With 21.1% of Cornwall's population affected by disability (approximately 120,000 people) — one of the highest rates in England — and an ageing population, caring is a reality for many Cornish families.
The intensity of caring in Cornwall is also significant, with 5% of the population providing high levels of care (20 or more hours per week). An additional 2,426 people are now providing care for between 20 and 49 hours per week compared to previous years, showing the increasing demands on Cornish carers.
The Challenges of Working and Caring in Cornwall
Many employees with caring responsibilities in Cornwall can feel isolated at work, especially if colleagues don't fully understand the demands of a caring role. Caring is often unpredictable and difficult to fit around a paid job.
Cornwall's rural geography adds unique challenges for working carers. With many villages and towns spread across the county, travelling to appointments, accessing services, and coordinating care can be particularly time-consuming. We understand that the experience a carer faces in The Lizard Peninsula or Callington may be vastly different to one who lives in Truro or Liskeard. The limited public transport in rural areas means many carers rely on driving, adding extra time and stress to already demanding schedules.
Recent research reveals the significant impact caring has on employment across the UK. According to Carers UK's State of Caring 2024 survey, 40% of all carers had given up work to care, whilst 44% of carers in employment said they had reduced their working hours to care, and a quarter (25%) had to take on a lower-paid or more junior role.
Because of this unpredictability, some carers reduce their hours—or even leave work altogether to provide the support their loved one needs. Others may need to find more flexible employment.
Did you know? Over the period 2010-2020, 4.3 million people across the UK became unpaid carers every year, demonstrating how dynamic caring is, with people moving in and out of caring roles regularly. In Cornwall, this means thousands of residents take on caring responsibilities each year. (Centre for Care research, Carers UK)
These decisions can have a big impact. Financially, leaving or reducing work can make life more difficult. The Carers UK State of Caring 2025 survey found that nearly half (49%) of carers said they have cut back on essentials such as food, heating, clothing and transport costs, whilst a third of carers (32%) have taken out a loan from the bank, used credit cards, or used a bank account overdraft.
Emotionally, giving up a job you enjoy which also supports your own wellbeing, can be a real loss. The GP Patient Survey 2025 found that 72% of carers said they have a physical or mental health condition(s) or illness(es) lasting, or expected to last, 12 months or more. In Cornwall specifically, 5.6% of residents reported being in "bad or very bad" general health in the Census 2021.
The Economic Impact
The economic value of the support provided by unpaid carers in the UK is now £184 billion a year, roughly equivalent to the entire NHS budget (Centre for Care Research, 2024). Without the support of unpaid carers in Cornwall and across the UK, health and social care systems would collapse.
Your Rights as a Working Carer in Cornwall
If you want to stay in work whilst caring, there are steps you can take to help manage both roles. As an informal carer, you have statutory rights (set out in law and applying to everyone), as well as contractual rights (specific to your own employment contract).
Understanding these rights is crucial. Despite the vital care that working carers provide, many are unaware of their legal entitlements. The State of Caring 2024 survey found that regarding the Carer's Leave Act, only 42% of carers said they were aware of the legislation and how it affects them, 24% said they had heard of it but didn't know much about it, and 34% said they were not aware of it.
Cornwall's Carers: With approximately 50,000 carers in Cornwall providing unpaid care, if we applied the national economic value proportionally, Cornish carers contribute an estimated £1.6 billion worth of care annually to our community — a staggering contribution that often goes unrecognised.
Important: Research from Carers UK shows that around 600 people a day across the UK give up work to care due to a lack of flexibility and support. In Cornwall, with our high proportion of carers, this issue is particularly significant. Knowing your rights can help you remain in employment whilst providing care.
Key Employment Rights for Working Carers
As a working carer in Cornwall, you have several important legal rights:
Carer's Leave Act 2023 — Up to one week of unpaid leave per year (came into effect 6 April 2024)
Flexible Working Rights — Right to request flexible working from day one of employment (Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023)
Time Off for Dependants — Reasonable unpaid time off for emergencies involving dependants (Employment Rights Act 1996)
Protection from Discrimination — Legal protection against detriment or dismissal for taking carer's leave
Parental Leave — Up to 18 weeks' unpaid leave for parents of children under 18
The Carers Leave Act
Complete guide to your statutory right to one week of unpaid leave per year. Learn who qualifies, how to request leave, and what protections you have.
Explore Your Rights and Support
Register as a Carer with your GP Practice
If you're caring for someone – whether it's a partner, family member, friend, or neighbour – you have the right to be identified as a carer by your GP practice
Flexible Working Rights
Understand your right to request flexible working arrangements from day one. Explore different types of flexibility and how to make a successful request.
Statutory & Contractual Rights
Detailed breakdown of your legal rights as a working carer, including protections against discrimination and unfair dismissal.
Time Off For Dependants
Know your rights to take time off for emergencies involving dependants. Learn what qualifies as an emergency and how much time you can take.
Get a Carers Assessment
If you're caring for someone in Cornwall, whether that's a parent, partner, child, friend, or neighbour, you might not think of yourself as a carer. But you may be entitled to support.
