A new law offering flexible working arrangements to employees has come into effect.

It gives workers, who are responsible for the care of another person, the right to ask for a change to their working conditions.

However, they must meet certain criteria first, including having worked for their employer for at least six months.

Among the changes they can request are different start and finish times; full time or part-time work; a change in the days they work or where they work; and job sharing.

They could also ask for a compressed working week or to work in school term time only.

Before a request is considered the employee must explain how the change will help them to provide better care for the person they look after.

Not all requests have to be approved. An employer may refuse if they are unable to reorganise work among existing staff; unable to recruit extra staff; or if it will have a detrimental impact on quality or performance.

They can also turn it down if it will affect their ability to meet customer demand; cannot cope with any extra cost involved or if there is not enough work during the periods the employee is available.

Employers can agree to a trial period, but should ensure they record what will happen if the trial does not work.