Carers Leave Request Letter Template & Generator

If you need to request your statutory right to unpaid carers leave under the Carers Leave Act 2023, a written letter is the recommended first step — it creates a clear record and shows you're pursuing the matter formally. Below is what a strong carers leave request should include, plus a free tool to generate yours.

What this letter needs to cover

• Confirm the care relationship and long-term care need
• State the number of days requested
• Confirm the statutory right to up to 5 days unpaid carers leave per year from day one of employment
• Confirm the notice given meets the requirement of twice the number of days or 3 days whichever is greater

Your right to carers leave

Since the Carers Leave Act 2023 came into force, employees have a day-one right to 5 working days of unpaid leave per year to provide or arrange care for a dependant with a long-term care need. This is separate from other leave entitlements like annual leave or emergency dependant leave, and doesn't require you to have worked for your employer for any minimum period first.

What to include before you send it

• Confirmation that you're requesting carers leave under the Carers Leave Act 2023
• The dates you wish to take, and whether as a single block or spread across separate days
• A brief description of the caring responsibility, without needing to provide detailed medical evidence
• Reference to the required notice period, which is generally twice the length of leave requested, plus one day

What counts as a "long-term care need"

This covers a dependant with an illness or injury expected to last more than 3 months, a disability as defined under the Equality Act 2010, or care needs related to old age. It's a broad definition, and you're not required to provide medical evidence to support your request in the way some other forms of leave might require.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my employer refuse a carers leave request?
Your employer can postpone the leave in certain limited circumstances if the timing would unduly disrupt the business, but they must consult you first and offer alternative dates within a month.

Is carers leave paid?
No — it's a statutory unpaid entitlement, though your employer may choose to pay it under their own more generous policy if they have one.

See our full letter template & generator library for related letters, or use our free checkers for guidance specific to your situation.