Parents of seriously ill children should get paid leave, says commissioner
Summary
The children's commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, has called for parents of seriously ill or disabled children to have a legal right to 12 weeks of paid leave at 90% of their normal pay. She also supports extending unpaid carer's leave and creating paid carer's leave to help families manage care without losing income.Key Facts
- Dame Rachel de Souza wants parents to have 12 weeks of paid leave at 90% pay when caring for seriously ill or disabled children.
- Parents often face difficult choices between caring for their child and keeping their jobs.
- She supports a "right to return to work" after long leave periods to help parents stay employed.
- Unpaid carer's leave could be increased from 5 to 10 days a year.
- Paid carer's leave is also proposed to support unpaid carers.
- The call follows campaigns from parents like Frances and Ceri Menai-Davis, whose son Hugh died of cancer in 2021.
- A government consultation on support for families with sick children is closing soon.
- The minister for the future of work said the government will consider how to improve support and employment rights for these families.
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