The National Health Service Terms and Conditions Handbook Section 33: Balancing work and personal life sets out the approach employers should take to recognising employees needs for a positive work and life balance. All NHS employers must have a carer’s policy to address the needs of people with caring responsibilities.

Carer policies include the provision for paid special leave for emergencies, including caring for dependents which includes children from birth to 14 years old or to 18 years old if they have a disability. Employers are expected to be as supportive and flexible as possible in these circumstances.

Guidance was also published by NHS Employers in late March 2020 for those staff who would need to self-isolate and to care for their child where their child contracted COVID-19. Staff in this position should continue to receive full pay.

The Government is committed to delivering the manifesto commitment to introduce a new right to an additional week of leave for unpaid carers.

The consultation on Carer’s Leave ran from March to August 2020, setting out detailed policy proposals to create a new employment right for one week’s unpaid leave. The consultation received a significant number of responses, demonstrating the importance of this issue.

The Government response to the consultation will be published in due course, setting out the way forward.

Within the Civil Service, policies on time off are delegated to departments. Departments can decide whether to offer paid special leave in these circumstances, or whether a combination of annual, flexi and special leave is more appropriate.