employment Citation and commencement 1 These Regulations may be cited as the Flexible Working (Eligibility, Complaints and Remedies) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and shall come into operation on 6th April 2007. Amendment of the Flexible Working (Eligibility, Complaints and Remedies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 2 The Flexible Working (Eligibility, Complaints and Remedies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 are amended as follows. 3 In regulation 2 (interpretation)— 1 In paragraph (1)— a after the definition of “contract variation” insert— “disabled” means entitled to a disability living allowance within the meaning of section 71 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 ; ; b for the definition of “partner” substitute— “partner” means the other member of a couple consisting of— a man and a woman who are not married to each other but are living together as if they were husband and wife, or two people of the same sex who are not civil partners of each other but are living together as if they were civil partners; ; c after the definition of “partner” insert— “relative” means a mother, father, adopter, guardian, special guardian, parent-in-law, step-parent, son, step-son, son-in-law, daughter, step-daughter, daughter-in-law, brother, step-brother, brother-in-law, sister, step-sister, sister-in-law, uncle, aunt or grandparent, and includes adoptive relationships and relationships of the full blood or half blood or, in the case of an adopted person, such of those relationships as would exist but for the adoption; “special guardian” means a person appointed as a special guardian under section 14A of the Children Act 1989 ; . 2 For paragraph (2) substitute— 2 A reference in any provision of these Regulations to a period of continuous employment is to a period computed in accordance with Chapter III of Part I of the 1996 Order , as if the provision were a provision of that Order. . 3 Omit paragraph (3). 4 1 Regulation 3 (entitlement to request contract variation) is amended as follows. 2 In the heading after “contract variation” insert “to care for a child”. 3 In paragraph (1) after “An employee is entitled to make an application to his employer for a contract variation” insert “to enable him, in accordance with Article 112F(1)(b)(i) of the 1996 Order, to care for a child”. 4 In paragraphs (1)(b)(i) and (1)(b)(ii) after “guardian” insert “, special guardian”. 5 Paragraph (2) shall be omitted. 5 After regulation 3 insert— Age of child 3A An application under regulation 3 must be made before the day on which the child concerned reaches the age of 6 or, if disabled, 18. Entitlement to request a contract variation to care for an adult 3B An employee is entitled to make an application to his employer for a contract variation to enable him, in accordance with article 112F(1)(b)(ii) of the 1996 Order, to care for a person aged 18 or over if the employee— a has been continuously employed for a period of not less than 26 weeks; and b is or expects to be caring for a person in need of care who is either— i married to or the partner or civil partner of the employee; ii a relative of the employee; or iii living at the same address as the employee. . Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Employment and Learning on 26th January 2007 D. S. S. McAuley A senior officer of the Department for Employment and Learning