Jobs & Business

Caring for a relative: your right to carer's leave (since 2024)

Q: Who you can care for?

The leave is to care for, or arrange care for, a dependant with a long-term care need. A «long-term care need» means an illness or injury (physical or mental) likely to need care for more than three months; a disability under the Equality Act 2010; or care connected with old age. A «dependant» is a spouse or civil partner, a child, a parent, someone in the same household, or someone who reasonably relies on you for care.You can take it as a full week or in half-days. You must give notice; the employer cannot refuse the right itself, though in some cases they may ask to postpone the dates.

If you care for an ill or elderly relative, since April 2024 you have a new right — carer's leave. Here is who qualifies and how much.

Thanks for £1

The hands of an older person — Since 2024, employees have a right to carer's leave. Photo: ONLYWAY NEWS

Since April 2024 the UK has a new employment right — carer's leave. It is for those juggling work with caring for a relative.

How much and for whom

By law (Employment Rights Act 1996, section 80J, and the Carer's Leave Regulations 2024) an employee can take at least one week of carer's leave in any 12-month period. It is a day-one right — no length of service needed. The leave is unpaid, but protected: an employer cannot penalise you for taking it.

ADV · A003We build websites for tradespeople and sole traders — £219Customers see your work and prices and message you straight away. Ready in 3 days, £219 instead of £438.Advertise here

Who you can care for

The leave is to care for, or arrange care for, a dependant with a long-term care need. A «long-term care need» means an illness or injury (physical or mental) likely to need care for more than three months; a disability under the Equality Act 2010; or care connected with old age. A «dependant» is a spouse or civil partner, a child, a parent, someone in the same household, or someone who reasonably relies on you for care.

You can take it as a full week or in half-days. You must give notice; the employer cannot refuse the right itself, though in some cases they may ask to postpone the dates.

Thanks for £1If this information was useful and came in time, press the heart. Payment goes through PayPal, with nothing to choose and nothing to fill in, and it pays for the newsroom.

Check whether an employer can sponsor a work visa →
Search the Home Office register on our own site: whether the company holds a sponsor licence, and for which routes.

Published 23 October 2026, 17:16 2 min read Editorial desk of the British newspaper ONLYWAY NEWS - LONDON - UK

Sources