Carer's Leave: Your Rights to a Week Off Work Each Year

The Carer's Leave Act 2023 took effect on 6 April 2024, creating the first statutory leave specifically for the UK's roughly five million working carers. GOV.UK gives the outline; the practical questions - what long-term care need actually captures, how the rolling year works, and how this right interlocks with emergency time off - are covered below.

The qualifying conditions

• You are an employee (workers and the self-employed are outside the right)
• You care for a dependant: spouse or partner, child, parent, someone in your household, or someone who reasonably relies on you for care
• That dependant has a long-term care need

Long-term care need means an illness or injury, physical or mental, likely to require care for more than 3 months; a disability under the Equality Act 2010; or care needs connected to old age. There is no medical evidence requirement - your employer must take your word and cannot ask for proof of the dependant’s condition.

How the week works

One week means the length of your normal working week: a five-day worker gets five days, a three-day part-timer gets three. It can be taken as a single block, as individual days, or as half days spread across the year - useful for recurring hospital escort duties. The entitlement refreshes on a rolling 12-month basis, not a calendar or leave year: each day taken drops out of the count 12 months later.

Notice, postponement and pay

The government has signalled a review of paid carer’s leave as part of the wider Employment Rights Act reform programme. Until any change is legislated and commenced, the statutory position remains unpaid.

Worked example: escorting a parent to chemotherapy

Your father has a 12-week chemotherapy cycle with a session every fortnight, six sessions in total. His condition is an illness likely to need care for more than 3 months, so the long-term test is met. You work five days a week, so your entitlement is five days. You book six half days, one per session, giving written notice at least 3 days ahead each time (twice the half day length rounds up to the 3-day minimum). That uses three of your five days, leaving two for the rest of the rolling year. If an appointment moves at short notice, the fallback is time off for dependants - but only if the change amounts to an unexpected disruption of care arrangements.

Edge cases worth knowing

• Multiple dependants do not multiply the entitlement: one week per employee per year, however many people you care for.
• The employer cannot demand to know the dependant’s identity or diagnosis - the self-certification covers the relationship and the existence of a long-term need.
• Redundancy while on carer’s leave: selection because of the leave is automatically unfair, but the leave gives no enhanced redundancy protection beyond that.
• The rolling year trap: taking a full week in one block means no further entitlement for 12 months - splitting into days preserves flexibility.

Related guides

This article provides general information only and is not legal or financial advice. Employment rights depend on your contract, employment status and circumstances. For advice on a specific situation, contact ACAS on 0300 123 1100 or a solicitor regulated by the SRA. Figures relate to the 2026/27 tax year and are verified against GOV.UK at the review date; always confirm current rates on GOV.UK before acting.

Frequently asked questions

Is carer's leave paid in the UK?

No. The statutory right is unpaid, though some employers pay it voluntarily. A government review of paid carer’s leave is under way as part of wider employment reform, but no change has been commenced.

Can my employer refuse carer's leave?

No. They can postpone it once, by up to a month, where the business would be unduly disrupted - with written reasons within 7 days and a consultation - but outright refusal is unlawful.

Do I need proof of my dependant's condition?

No. The right is self-certified. Your employer can ask you to confirm the statutory conditions are met but cannot require medical evidence.

How much carer's leave do I get if I work part time?

One week means your normal working week. If you work three days a week, your entitlement is three days per rolling 12 months.

Can I take it in half days?

Yes. The regulations expressly allow half days, individual days, or one continuous block, in any combination up to your week.

Does caring for a friend count?

It can. A friend qualifies if they reasonably rely on you to provide or arrange care - the relationship list is not limited to family.

Sources

• GOV.UK: Unpaid carer’s leave
• Carer's Leave Act 2023
• ACAS: Carer's leave