Annual leave purchase scheme
We’re delighted to be able to launch the 2023/24 annual leave purchase scheme (ALPS) – you can now download the ALPS request form here (you must be logged in to MyDCHS in order to access this) and the full annual leave guide – including a section on ALPS (page 9) – here.
For the 2023/24 scheme you’ll be able to purchase a maximum of 10 additional days, minus any carry over from 2022/23. For example, if you carry over three days from 2022/23 into 2023/24 then you can only purchase an additional seven days. A maximum of five days can be carried forward from 2022/23 into the 2023/24 holiday year, with your manager’s discretion. Any exceptional circumstances should be discussed with your manager and divisional people lead. This year’s scheme does not include the option to sell any annual leave.
It’s really important that the electronic staff record (ESR) is up-to-date for you and your teams at the end of March to ensure we’re able to get an accurate picture of any annual leave being carried over. If we aren't able to rely on data from ESR then we may need to revert to manual collection as we’ve done in previous years and this would mean approaching team leaders to collect the each team’s position. It’s your responsibility to ensure that your personal ESR balance is accurate at the end of the year (31 March 2023).
With Spring fast approaching it’s important that we all take some well-deserved time off, recharge our batteries and look out for our own wellbeing.