Is this absence policy legal? Posting for traffic

[Raspberryfrog]

Had a memo from work that states the new sickness policy
12 hours notice is needed to be off sick
If we are off sick we need to ring round staff and find someone to cover our shift
If it’s an emergency or sudden sickness we need an doctors note from A & E or the GP or our absence will not be accepted.
If we are suddenly off with a child we will also need a gps note to prove they are ill.
Is this legal?

Yes, they need people there, but it's down to the agency to ensure they have enough staff. Which they clearly don't.
12 hours is not reasonable regardless of how it's phrased.

One of the reasons I won't do agency work for care ever again. Too many small companies with not enough staff to cover basic care. And ridiculous guilt-tripping to do more hours because of their cockups.

It sounds like the family have their own personal health budget or possibly some kind of post litigation settlement to procure a care package. Lots of families are encouraged to directly employ their care teams rather than pay agency commissions and fees. They usually use a payroll company to administer the PAYE etc.

I come across this all the time at work (I work for a care provider) and families can often be woefully unprepared and ignorant of basic employment law. They are often heavily involved in their relative;s care themselves so it's very emotive.

Of course this policy is unenforceable. I'd check if the managing agency are also supporting with HR functions etc - do you have a proper contract of employment?

Whilst families often seem incredulous when they see the hourly charge rates that a full care provider would charge, they rarely calculate the none direct costs that are incurred in employing a team and managing a package- such as holiday and sickness cover