Can I take time off work to look after someone who needs care?

An unpaid week a year for someone with a long-term care need — a relative, a household member, or anyone who reasonably relies on you. No evidence can be demanded, and it cannot be refused.

Difficulty: beginner
Time: 9 min
Read: 4 min

Short answer

Employees in England, Wales and Scotland can take one week of unpaid carer's leave in any rolling twelve months to give or arrange care for a dependant with a long-term care need. It is a day-one right, it can be taken in half-days or single days, and no evidence can be demanded. Notice is the greater of three days or twice the length of the leave requested. The employer cannot refuse it, only postpone it. It is not available in Northern Ireland.

Carer's leave filled the gap between time off for dependants, which is for genuine emergencies only, and annual leave, which many carers were burning through on hospital appointments and care assessments. One week is not much, but it is a legal right that does not require an emergency, does not require a reason to be evidenced, and cannot be turned down.

Step by step

Check who counts as your dependant.A spouse or civil partner, a child, a parent, someone living in the same household other than a tenant, lodger or employee, or anyone else who reasonably relies on you for care. It does not have to be a relative.
Check the care need is long term.It qualifies where the person has a disability under the Equality Act, an illness or injury expected to require care for more than three months, or care needs connected with old age.
Work out how much you have.One week in any rolling twelve-month period, where a week means your usual working hours over seven days. It is one week in total across all your dependants, not one week each.
Decide how to take it.Half-days, single days, or consecutive days. Spreading it across the year for appointments is usually more useful than taking it as a block.
Give notice on the right formula.The greater of three days, or twice the length of the leave requested. So one day of leave needs three days' notice; a full week needs two weeks. The notice does not have to be in writing.
Know that no evidence can be required.Your employer cannot ask for proof of the person's condition or of what you did with the time. They can ask you to confirm the leave is for a qualifying purpose.
Understand postponement.They cannot refuse. They can postpone where the absence would cause serious business disruption, and if they do they must agree alternative dates within a month of your original request and explain the postponement in writing within seven days.
Check your employer's policy for more.Some employers give paid carer's leave, or more than a week. The statutory entitlement is a floor and the policy may be considerably better.
Northern Ireland: this right does not apply.Carer's leave is available in England, Wales and Scotland only. In Northern Ireland the fallback is time off for dependants, which covers emergencies only. Check nidirect for any change.

Tips

Take it in half-days across the year for appointments rather than as a block. It goes considerably further.
Ask HR whether the employer has a carers policy, a carers network, or paid carer's leave. Many larger employers do and do not advertise it.
Keep a note of the dates you use, because the entitlement runs on a rolling twelve months rather than a leave year.

Common mistakes

Using annual leave for care because you did not know this existed — It is a day-one statutory right that cannot be refused, and it preserves your annual leave for actual rest.
Getting the notice formula wrong — It is the greater of three days or twice the leave requested — so a week of leave needs a fortnight's notice, which surprises people.

If it doesn't work

Your employer asked for a letter from a doctor

Cause: They cannot require evidence for carer's leave — Fix: Point out politely that the regulations do not permit evidence to be required, and confirm in writing that the leave is for a dependant with a long-term care need. Contact Acas if they insist.

The leave was postponed with no alternative offered

Cause: Postponement has procedural requirements — Fix: Ask for the written explanation within seven days and for agreed alternative dates within a month, both of which the regulations require.

You have used the week and the caring is continuing

Cause: One week a year is a low ceiling for ongoing care — Fix: Look at a flexible working request for a permanent change, unpaid parental leave if the dependant is your child under 18, and your employer's own carer policy. Carers UK has practical guidance on combining them.

Questions people ask

Is it paid?

Not by statute — it is unpaid. Some employers pay it as a matter of policy, so check yours. Carer's Allowance is a separate benefit with its own conditions and is not connected to this leave.

Can I take it for a friend or a neighbour?

Yes, if they reasonably rely on you for care and have a long-term care need. The definition is deliberately wider than family.

What if I need more than a week?

Options are annual leave, unpaid parental leave where the person is your child under 18, a flexible working request, or agreeing unpaid leave with your employer. Carers UK and Acas can talk through the combinations.

Does it protect me from dismissal?

Yes — dismissal or detriment for taking or seeking to take carer's leave is unlawful, and dismissal for that reason is automatically unfair. Contact Acas if you are treated badly for asking.