It’s right that foster carers, special guardians and kinship carers are entitled to time to grieve for children they have cared for says GMB Union.

GMB, the union for foster carers, are celebrating a big win after the Government announced they would be included under new bereavement leave laws.

GMB appeared before a commons select committee arguing for greater recognition for foster carers and led the way in calling for bereavement leave to be extended to foster carers and written in to UK law. 

The Government heeded the call and extended the Parental Bereavement (Pay and Leave) Act widened beyond parents to all primary carers for children, including adopters, foster parents and guardians.

Rachel Harrison, GMB National Officer, said:

"GMB welcomes the announcement that child bereavement leave has been extended to include foster carers, special guardians and kinship carers." 

“We have long campaigned for equal rights for foster carers who open their homes to the most vulnerable children in our society. And we fought for politicians of all parties to hear our calls to include foster carers in the Parental Bereavement Act."

"It’s right that foster carers, special guardians and kinship carers are entitled to time to grieve for children they have cared for."

ENDS

Contact: GMB Press office on 07958 156846 or at [email protected]