Carer’s Leave Policy

Definition of a carer

When defining carers, we aim to strike a balance between recognising the special circumstances of caring, and not classifying carers as a rigid or separate group.

We define carers as employees with significant caring responsibilities that have a substantial impact on their working life. The activities that carers undertake are wide ranging, including but not limited to:

• help with personal care.
  
• help with mobility.
  
• managing medication.
  
• practical household tasks.
  
• emotional support; and
  
• help with financial matters or administration.

Carers' needs are different from the needs of employees with routine childcare responsibilities, and the circumstances and milestones of caring are different from those of routine childcare. Please look at our Leave and Absence, and Flexible Working policies for options that may support you balancing childcare.

Caring can be unpredictable and emotionally upsetting. An employee may acquire caring responsibilities overnight, for example where their parent has a stroke, or caring responsibilities may develop over time, for example where the employee's partner has a debilitating long-term health condition. With routine childcare, the child's journey is more predictable as they grow older, go to school and become more independent. The milestones of caring may go in the opposite direction, for example an elderly parent may become frailer and more dependent over time, and a disabled child may continue to have significant support needs when they become an adult.