Children' Cancer Charity backs calls for support for working, caring parents

Dr Carole Easton, Chief Executive of CLIC Sargent, says: ìI was disappointed but not surprised to see from research by workingmums.co.uk that parents find it hard to get flexible work. CLIC Sargent has found that parents caring for children with cancer are also missing out at work.î

A recent YouGov poll, commissioned by CLIC Sargent, found that in general, people believe that their employer would give them the support they needed to provide care for a family member, if they needed it. Specifically, the survey found that of people working eight or more hours who have children living at home, 60 per cent thought that their employer would offer adequate support if their child were to become seriously ill.

However, the reality for parents caring for sick children is actually very different to this perception. In a separate survey specifically of families affected by childhood cancer, CLIC Sargent found that 49 per cent of those surveyed are using their own sick leave or holiday allowance to care for their sick child.

Sadly, the charity found that some parents have had to give up work altogether at this traumatic time.

When his son was diagnosed with leukaemia, single parent Chris lost his job: ìWhen I told my employer that Liam was ill he said that he was very sorry to hear about Liam but that he still had a business to run and was not a charity.î

Dr Easton continues: ìParents quite rightly have the option to take time off work when their child is born, but not when their child needs them most and is diagnosed with a life threatening illness. As the UKís leading childrenís cancer charity, CLIC Sargent believes that Parents Have a Right to Care.

ìI hope that the government will recognise the needs of parents like Chris by offering them paid leave and career breaks as part of the New Deal for Carers.î