My mum has been diagnosed with dementia and I'm increasingly her main carer. I need to reduce my hours or work from home more but I wasn't sure if flexible working rights only apply to parents of young children?
Great news — since April 2024, the right to request flexible working applies to ALL employees from day one, for any reason. You don't have to justify it at all in your request. The Carer's Leave Act 2023 also gives you 5 days unpaid leave per year for caring responsibilities.
Carers UK has brilliant resources and a helpline. They deal with exactly this situation and can advise on both your employment rights and what financial support you might be entitled to.