Your Rights at Work in Social Care: A Practical Guide

Know Your Rights

Care work is one of the most demanding jobs in the UK — and workers in the sector are entitled to the same employment protections as anyone else. Here is a clear summary of your key rights.

Pay

You are entitled to at least the National Living Wage (£11.44/hour for workers aged 21+ in 2026). Sleep-in shifts are a complex area — following key legal cases, workers are entitled to NLW for the hours they are required to be awake and working, though not necessarily for periods when they are permitted to sleep.

Working Hours

Under the Working Time Regulations, you cannot be required to work more than 48 hours per week on average unless you have voluntarily opted out. You are entitled to a minimum 11 hours rest between shifts and a 20-minute break for any shift over 6 hours.

Mandatory Training

Employers are legally required to provide training that is necessary for you to do your job safely. This should be done in paid time. Moving and handling, fire safety, safeguarding, and infection control are all typically considered mandatory — your employer cannot charge you for these or require you to complete them unpaid.

Sick Pay

You are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) after 4 consecutive days of sickness. Your contract may provide for more generous occupational sick pay — check your terms.

Whistleblowing

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 protects workers who report wrongdoing in good faith. You cannot be dismissed or treated unfairly for raising a safeguarding concern, reporting financial abuse, or flagging unsafe practices. Always report serious concerns to CQC or the Local Authority Safeguarding team if you do not feel safe raising them internally.

Where to Get Help

• ACAS: Free advice on employment rights — 0300 123 1100
• Skills for Care: Workforce development guidance
• CQC: Report concerns about care quality
• Citizens Advice: Free legal and employment advice