Parents of seriously ill children should get paid leave, says commissioner
The UK Children's Commissioner is advocating for a new legal right to 12 weeks of paid leave for parents of seriously ill children. The proposal aims to alleviate the financial and emotional strain on families who currently face impossible choices between their jobs and caring for their children.
Why it matters
This highlights a significant gap in employment law regarding support for families dealing with long-term pediatric health crises.
Image source, PA Media Image caption, Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel joins calls for more support for parents and carers
Parents of children with serious illnesses or disabilities should be entitled to paid leave from work, the children's commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza has said.
She called on the government to introduce a legal right to 12 weeks of paid leave at 90% of normal pay in order to lift the "immense pressure" and lost earnings families face when a child develops a debilitating condition.
Her intervention came as the government continued to consult on how to financially support families and unpaid carers looking after ill children in England, Scotland and Wales.
She said: "Parents should not be forced to choose between being at their seriously ill child's bedside and keeping their job."
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