CARERS RIGHTS
What rights do carers have?
As an unpaid carer, it can be difficult to understand what rights you have and what support you are legally entitled to.
In the Isle of Man, the rights of carers differ to those in the UK so it is important to check where this may be different.
Legal rights
Under the Isle of Man Government’s Social Services Act 2011, a person is eligible to receive social care services or carer support if one of the following applies:
- You were born on the Isle of Man
- You have been ordinarily resident in the Island throughout the 5 years immediately preceding your application for such services or support
- You demonstrate your ability to pay the Department of Health and Social Care the full cost of any charges for those services prescribed under section 15(1)
and satisfy such further conditions as may be prescribed by regulations.
The Act also states that where the carer intends to provide another person with care on a regular basis, that carer is entitled to receive a carers assessment. This assessment will determine your ability to provide or to continue care in an appropriate manner. The carer also has a right to a carers assessment even if the person cared for has refused an assessment or the provision of social care services.
www.legislation.gov.im/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2011/2011-0022/2011-0022_5.pdf
EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS
The Isle of Man Government’s Equality Act 2017 provides the right to equality of opportunity and protection from discrimination, harassment and victimisation in the Isle of Man.
The Act provides equality of opportunity and makes it unlawful to discriminate, harass or victimise a person when providing goods, services or public functions, in education, in employment or as a member of an association on the basis of a person’s:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
The law also extends to cover cases where those who experience ‘less favourable treatment’ is because of the victim’s association with someone with a protected characteristic. This definition aims to help improve protection for many people caring for those with a protected characteristic, including within employment.
www.gov.im/categories/working-in-the-isle-of-man/employment-rights/equality-act-2017
Currently there are no employment rights for carers in place. However, the forthcoming Employment (Amendment) Bill will feature new rights including for carer’s leave which means carers will have legal protection within employment and the right to time off. The Bill is currently under consultation.
More information can be found on the gov.im website.
www.gov.im/news/2025/jan/27/enhanced-employment-legislation-to-come-into-effect-from-1-april-2025