Carers Rights Day 2026: Helping Carers Know Their Rights
Carers Rights Day takes place on Thursday 19 November 2026, with Carers Scotland encouraging people to recognise unpaid carers sooner and make sure they know about the rights and support available to them.
This year’s campaign asks: “Someone you know is a carer – but do they know it yet?”
Every day, thousands of people take on caring responsibilities for a partner, family member or friend. Many don’t identify as a carer, instead seeing themselves simply as a parent, partner, relative or friend. As a result, they may not realise they have rights or could be entitled to support.
Knowing your rights
In Scotland, the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 gives unpaid carers important rights. These include the right to an Adult Carer Support Plan, which can help identify a carer’s needs and personal outcomes, regardless of how many hours of care they provide.
Carers also have rights around being involved when the person they care for is discharged from hospital, while local authorities have duties to provide information, advice and support to carers.
There is also financial support available. In 2026, Scotland introduced the Carer Additional Person Payment for eligible carers who provide care for more than one person, alongside other changes to carer benefits.
Start the conversation
Carers Rights Day is a chance to ask a simple question: “Are you a carer?”
Recognising a caring role can be the first step towards finding support, understanding your rights and making sure carers’ own needs are not overlooked.
This November, let’s help make sure carers across Scotland are recognised, informed and supported.
Find out more about Carers Rights Day and carers’ rights through Carers Scotland.
