What is the Carer’s Leave Act - and how can it help you?

Caring for someone with dementia can be incredibly rewarding, but also very demanding, especially if you’re working at the same time.

The Carer’s Leave Act 2023 is a law that aims to make life a little easier for unpaid carers in England, Wales and Scotland.

Here’s what it means for you.

What is the Carer’s Leave Act?

The Carer’s Leave Act came into force on 6 April 2024. It gives employees the right to take up to five days of unpaid leave each year to help care for someone who depends on them. This could be a family member, a partner, or even a friend.

It’s designed to support people caring for someone with a long-term health condition, disability, or age-related need - including dementia.

Who can take carer’s leave?

You can take carer’s leave if:

• You’re an employee (not self-employed or a casual worker)

• You’re caring for someone with a long-term care need - such as dementia

• You’ve worked for your employer for at least one day

You don’t need to provide proof or a doctor’s note. The leave is flexible - you can take it in full days or just a few hours at a time, depending on what works best.

How can it help dementia carers?

If you’ve ever had to juggle work and a sudden trip to a medical appointment, organise care, or help with something urgent at home, you’ll know how hard it can be.

The Carer’s Leave Act gives you the peace of mind that you can take time off when you need to – without putting your job at risk.

While the leave is unpaid, it helps protect your job security and encourages employers to be more aware of the needs of a carer. 

Why it matters

There are over 5 million unpaid carers in the UK and many are caring for someone with dementia.

This new law is a small but important step towards recognising what carers do and making sure you don’t have to manage everything alone.

Talk to your employer

If you're balancing work and care, it’s worth having a chat with your employer. Some workplaces may offer paid carer’s leave or extra support - so it’s always worth asking what’s available.

You can learn more about your rights at: 

www.gov.uk/carers-leave

www.carersuk.org