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Original poster

NHS carers leave

10 replies

DramaLlamaMumma · 28/06/2024 09:06

Does anyone here work in HR in the NHS or can anyone help me understand what kind of thing this applies to? To me the policy reads like it should apply if you have to undertake caring responsibilities for someone even if it’s short term, but I’ve been told it only applies if you’re “officially” a carer to that person?

OP posts:
LeroyJenkinssss · 28/06/2024 09:10

in my department it’s the former, so parent becomes very unwell etc rather than you have previously been a carer. And what does “officially”? As in receiving carers allowance?

TeenLifeMum · 28/06/2024 09:11

I find it’s dependent on the manager.

OhshutupDerek · 28/06/2024 09:17

I have worked for the NHS for 26 years and agree with a pp it is usually at a managers discretion. I had the odd day when my DC were young and off school sick but it wasn't too often.

GrandShow · 28/06/2024 09:22

What does "officially" a carer mean? Is your manager asking for proof of your caring role? So many of the policies in the NHS are at the managers direction!

I've had carers leave for my DC and also for my parent. My boss was aware my parent was widowed and I was only one available to help when they fell.

HOWEVER in my Trust carers leave is for emergencies and then we are expected to make other arrangements, use annual leave, TOIL etc.

Kitkat1523 · 28/06/2024 09:28

I’ve worked in many nhs teams….found its dependant on your manager…..used for if your child needs picking up due to ill health….or childcare if your child wakes up sick one day….or is in hospital…..or your parent is taken to hospital….I got it for both days I was birth partner when my GDs were born…..maximum has been 1 week…..if you need extra then you need to take AL or request unpaid …..I’ve taken it for my mum before today….I’m not her official carer ( she doesn’t have one) …..just an emergency situation…..my colleagues husband collapsed at work and was taken to hospital…..she was given 3 days carers leave to sort stuff out…that type of thing

Original poster
DramaLlamaMumma · 28/06/2024 10:04

To clarify it wasn’t my manager who said you need to “officially” be a carer to qualify. My manager didn’t mention carers leave at all. I mentioned to someone else that I thought carers leave might have been an option but apparently my only options are annual leave or unpaid leave, and they said “oh yes that’s because you’re not officially her carer” which sounds like a load of rubbish to me, but anyway.

I was mostly wondering if I had a case to request carers leave or if I had interpreted the policy wrong, but it sounds like it varies a lot anyway! Ours specifically says it’s not for emergencies like collecting poorly kids from school (there’s emergency family leave for that). My mum is my only childcare at the moment and is having surgery, so I won’t be able to go to work regardless, but obviously having a bit more of my time off be paid carers leave rather than unpaid family leave would help financially.

OP posts:
GrandShow · 28/06/2024 10:12

Well it would be your kids you're looking after, not your mum. I don't see how anyone can argue you're not your kids carer!

It's worth applying from what you say. In my Trust that wouldn't be cares leave as it's planned and we'd have to use AL, TOIL, make other arrangements for childcare but sounds like yours treats it differently

Original poster
DramaLlamaMumma · 28/06/2024 10:33

GrandShow · 28/06/2024 10:12

Well it would be your kids you're looking after, not your mum. I don't see how anyone can argue you're not your kids carer!

It's worth applying from what you say. In my Trust that wouldn't be cares leave as it's planned and we'd have to use AL, TOIL, make other arrangements for childcare but sounds like yours treats it differently

Sorry I wasn’t very clear but I’ll be looking after kids AND my mum. She’ll come home with us after surgery as she’d have no other help either. I don’t think carers leave would apply to my children, but I feel like it should apply to the initial stage of my DM’s recovery, so if not the full week then at least the first couple of days after she’s discharged. The rest I will use annual leave and unpaid parental leave. I will probably ask about if, worst they can do is say no, just wanted to know if there was a chance!

OP posts:
MalbecandToast · 28/06/2024 15:53

Carers leave is unpaid leave.

Legislation states:

From 6 April 2024, employees will be entitled to up to one week of unpaid leave to give or arrange care for a dependent. The dependant does not have to be a family member, it can be anyone who relies on them for care, who has:

  1. a physical or mental illness or injury that means they’re expected to need care for more than three months
  2. a disability (as defined in the Equality Act 2010)
  3. care needs because of their old age.

www.gov.uk/carers-leave

Definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010

You’re disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a 'substantial' and 'long-term' negative effect on your ability to do daily activities

https://www.gov.uk/definition-of-disability-under-equality-act-2010

Kitkat1523 · 28/06/2024 16:07

MalbecandToast · 28/06/2024 15:53

Carers leave is unpaid leave.

Legislation states:

From 6 April 2024, employees will be entitled to up to one week of unpaid leave to give or arrange care for a dependent. The dependant does not have to be a family member, it can be anyone who relies on them for care, who has:

  1. a physical or mental illness or injury that means they’re expected to need care for more than three months
  2. a disability (as defined in the Equality Act 2010)
  3. care needs because of their old age.

www.gov.uk/carers-leave

You get paid carers leave at my NHS trust…..up to 1 week at line managers discretion….up to 2 weeks at service managers discretion

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