If you’re working, you have the legal right to take up to one week (pro-rata) of unpaid carers leave each year. You don’t need to provide evidence of who you care for, and you don’t have to live with them.​

You can use this leave in the way that suits you. It could be a full week at once, or single days spread across the year.

Examples include:​

  • Taking your relative to a medical appointment​

  • Helping with a hospital discharge​

  • Arranging or attending a care planning meeting​

  • Sorting out practical matters like moving equipment or liaising with services​

How to use this right:

  • Tell your employer you want to take carers leave. You don’t need to give them details about the person you care for, just let them know you’re exercising your right

  • Give notice that’s at least twice the length of the leave you want to take, or three days in advance if that’s longer. For example, if you want two days off, you should give four days’ notice

  • Your employer can’t refuse your request, but they can ask you to take the leave at a different time if your absence would seriously disrupt the business.

If you feel your right to unpaid carers leave is not being met, you can contact:

  • Your employer’s HR department or line manager. Start by raising the issue informally or through your organisation’s grievance procedure, they can advise of your companies policies and if these are being breached

  • Citizens Advice. You can get independent legal and practical advice on employment rights, including unpaid carer’s leave. Visit their website

  • ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service). Call the ACAS helpline on 0300 123 1100. They provides free, confidential advice about employment rights and can help you understand your options or make a complaint. They also have letter templates to support you with any requests. Visit: Flexible working | Acas

  • A trade union representative. If you are a member of a union, they can offer guidance, representation, and help you raise a formal grievance

  • Employment tribunal. If the issue isn’t resolved informally, you may be able to make a claim to an employment tribunal for breach of employment rights (you must usually contact ACAS first for early conciliation)

Tip: Try to resolve disputes informally through discussion with your manager or organisation.  This will help preserve good working relationships and help you feel less worried about the process.

If you prefer to speak to somebody about your concerns, the two main carer support services in Dorset and their team of carers advisors are here for you:

If the person you care for lives in the Dorset Council area, contact Help & Care Call 0303 303 0153; email carers@helpandcare.org.uk; or visit www.helpandcare.org.uk

If the person you care for lives in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) area, contact BCP Carer Support. Call 01202 128 787; email carersupport@bcpcouncil.gov.uk; or visit BCP Carer Support

More information on support for carers in Dorset generally: Carers – Our Dorset

If you are a young carer, you may be interested in visiting this website which talks about your rights specifically: Know Your Rights: A Guide for Young Carers and don’t forget MyTime are here for you in Dorset: MYTIME Young Carers