Petition · Department of Health and Social Care
Statutory paid leave for parents whose child is undergoing cancer treatment
Open for signatures
3,703 signatures
What the petition asks
I’d like the Government to provide statutory paid leave, in the same way as maternity and paternity leave, for parents whose child is diagnosed with cancer and need to assist them with their care.
A diagnosis of childhood cancer is extremely distressing and can turn a parent’s life upside down and redefine structure to daily life. Currently the Government assists with maternity leave to assist with maternal recovery and childhood bonding, and I would argue that a dying child deserves the same consideration for medical treatment, recovery and bonding. I feel work commitments and finances are making this untenable. The Government has already invested in covering travel costs from 2027.
Timeline
| 30 Mar 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
3,703
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
Opened
30 Mar 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.