Parents of seriously ill children should get paid leave, says commissioner

Children's commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza has called for parents of seriously ill children to be granted paid leave from work. She proposed that the government introduce a legal right to 12 weeks of paid leave at 90% of normal pay, aimed at alleviating the immense financial pressure and lost earnings families endure when a child faces a debilitating condition. The call came as the government continued to consult on ways to financially support families and unpaid carers looking after ill children.

Dame Rachel emphasized that parents should not have to choose between being present at their seriously ill child's bedside and maintaining their job. She recounted the stories of parents who had to make impossible choices, balancing care for their children with the need to keep their employment.

In addition to the proposed paid leave, Dame Rachel also backed a right to return to work after extended periods of leave. This, she suggested, could help families with children who have complex or fluctuating needs to remain employed while providing the necessary care for their children.

The commissioner's proposals were inspired by the campaign led by the parents of Hugh Menai-Davis, who passed away from cancer at the age of six in 2021. His parents, Frances and Ceri Menai-Davis, have been advocating for changes to employment law that would guarantee parents three months' salaries if their child faces serious physical or mental illness.

Ceri Menai-Davis highlighted the lack of a legal right for parents to be present by their child's bedside in a hospital setting. She said, "If you're a parent with a child, there is nowhere else you are going to be other than their bedside."

A consultation on reforms to support available to families and carers is set to close on Monday. Kate Dearden, the minister for the future of work, expressed her empathy for families facing serious childhood illness, stating, "Serious childhood illness is a heartbreaking situation for families. I've been incredibly moved by the powerful stories we have heard, and we will move quickly to consider how we can strengthen support and employment rights for families facing serious childhood illness."