Supporting working carers
21st January 2025
Who are working carers?
A working carer is someone who balances paid employment/volunteering with unpaid caregiving responsibilities for a family member or friend who needs support due to illness, disability, poor mental health, or ageing. This broad category includes, but is not limited to:
- Working young carers: Individuals under 18 who are enrolled in apprenticeship programs or employed in work/volunteering while also providing regular care and emotional support to a family member. They juggle their training and work commitments with their caregiving duties.
- Working parent carers: Parents who are employed/volunteering and simultaneously care for a child with additional care and support needs. They manage their working responsibilities alongside the demands of parenting and caregiving.
- Working unpaid adult carers: Adults who are employed/volunteering and provide unpaid care to a spouse, parent, friend, neighbour, or other relatives. They balance their job with the needs of the person they care for.
Evidence suggests that the number of working carers is continuing to increase. All carers face unique challenges and would benefit from support from employers to achieve their employment goals and manage their caring responsibilities.
The lived experience of working carers.
The following three blogs will provide some insight into the lived experience of working carers.
Working Young Carer – From Young Carer to Apprentice: My Journey and the Power of Resilience – Placer
Working Parent Carer – Work and the parent carer: a choice or a right? – Special Needs Jungle
Working Adult Carer – Alison’s story | Signpost Stockport for Carers
The benefits of supporting working carers.
Recognising and supporting working carers can help your business in many ways, including:
- Enhanced employee well-being: Supporting carers can reduce stress and improve mental and physical health.
- Increased productivity: Carers are more likely to be focused and productive at work when they feel supported.
- Higher job satisfaction: Employees who feel valued and understood are more satisfied.
- Improved retention rates: Providing support can reduce turnover, saving costs associated with hiring and training new staff.
- Positive workplace culture: A supportive environment fosters loyalty and a positive workplace culture.
- Attracting talent: Companies known for their supportive policies are more attractive to potential employees.
- Enhanced reputation: Being recognised as a carer-friendly employer can enhance your company’s reputation in the community.
How can businesses support working carers?
Working carers may not openly communicate their circumstances, potentially leading to a lack of awareness among employers. Some working carers are reluctant to discuss their personal situation and unaware of available support. Working carers may not always identify as carers, and it is helpful to encourage and support open conversations about their situation.
Working carers may benefit from the following support from employers:
Flexible working arrangements: Flexibility in start and finish times, the ability to work from home, and the option to adjust work hours as caregiving responsibilities change.
Carer’s leave: Additional leave for caregiving duties can help working carers manage emergencies and reduce stress – carer’s leave – GOV.UK.
Understanding and awareness: Training for managers and colleagues to understand carers’ challenges, fostering a supportive and empathetic work environment.
Practical support: Allowing carers to keep their mobile phones on during work hours for emergencies, providing access to a telephone to check on the person they care for, and setting up internal carers’ groups for mutual support. Employers could also nominate a key contact in the workplace to who carers can talk.
Recognition and inclusion: Ensuring carers are included in workplace policies and social activities and recognising their contributions and challenges.
These measures may significantly improve working carers’ well-being and job satisfaction, helping them balance their work and caregiving responsibilities more effectively.
Remember, the best people to tell you what they need are working carers themselves. Start a conversation with working carers in your organisation to better understand their challenges and how you can help.
If you would like to find out more about how to support carers, you can also contact:
- Alliance Homes (for adult carers and parent carers) – Speak to us | Alliance Homes
- North Somerset Parent Carers Working Together (NSPCWT) (for parent carers) – NSPCWT | Contact
- Employers for carers – Home | EfC
Or explore the links below for more information:
- Support for unpaid carers in employment or volunteering | North Somerset Council
- Cares in the Workplace — Carers Collective
- bitc-age-toolkit-supporting carers-may2019.pdf
- Carer-friendly workplaces: Guide for people professionals | CIPD
- Help & Info – Employers Support for Carers | Carers Trust
- Supporting working carers: how employers and employees can benefit | CIPD
How can employees request support from other organisations?
- Parent carers – SEND Hub – support for parents and carers | North Somerset Council
- Young carers – Support for young carers | Alliance Homes
- Working adult carers – How to request a carer’s assessment | North Somerset Council
