Backing Our Working Carers in North Somerset

Who are working carers?

A working carer is someone who balances paid employment or volunteering with unpaid caring responsibilities. They provide care to a family member or friend who needs support due to illness, disability, mental health conditions, or ageing. This includes:

• Working young carers: People under 18 who are in apprenticeships, jobs, or volunteering roles while regularly caring for a family member. They manage both training/work and caregiving duties.
• Working parent carers: Parents who are employed or volunteer and also care for a child who has additional support needs. They balance their work commitments with parenting and caregiving.
• Working unpaid adult carers: Adults who work or volunteer while providing unpaid care to a spouse, parent, friend, neighbour, or relative. They manage their job responsibilities alongside caring duties.

The number of working carers is rising (Facts About Carers – March 2025). Carers face unique challenges and greatly benefit from workplace support to achieve their employment goals while managing caring responsibilities.

Real-life experiences of working carers

These three blogs share insights into the daily lives 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

Benefits of supporting working carers

Supporting working carers brings multiple advantages to businesses:

• Better employee well-being: Reduces stress, improving mental and physical health.
• Increased productivity: Supported carers can better focus on their jobs.
• Greater job satisfaction: Employees feel more valued and understood.
• Lower staff turnover: Improved retention saves costs on recruitment and training.
• Positive workplace culture: Promotes loyalty and a supportive atmosphere.
• Attracts talent: Companies known for supportive practices appeal more to potential employees.
• Enhanced reputation: Being a carer-friendly employer boosts your organisation’s community image.

How businesses can support working carers

Many working carers hesitate to discuss their caring role, often due to fear of misunderstanding or a lack of awareness about available support. Employers can help by encouraging open conversations and recognising carers’ needs.

Useful ways employers can support working carers include:

• Flexible working: Allow carers flexibility in working hours, start and finish times, and home-working options.
• Carer’s leave: Provide additional leave for emergency caregiving situations (Find out more about carer’s leave – GOV.UK).
• Awareness training: Educate managers and teams to understand carers’ challenges, creating an empathetic workplace.
• Practical help: Allow carers access to their phones for emergencies, provide facilities to contact the cared-for person, and establish workplace carers’ groups.
• Recognition and inclusion: Ensure carers are included in workplace policies and activities, and acknowledge their efforts and unique challenges.

These measures significantly enhance carers’ well-being and job satisfaction, helping them balance work and caregiving effectively.

The best way to support carers is to speak with them directly. Start discussions within your organisation to understand carers’ needs and how best to support them.

Where to get more information

For additional resources and guidance, you can contact:

• Alliance Homes (Adult and parent carers): Speak to us – Alliance Homes
• North Somerset Parent Carers Working Together (NSPCWT): Contact NSPCWT
• Employers for Carers: Home | EfC

Or explore these resources:

• Support for unpaid carers in employment or volunteering – North Somerset Council
• Carers in the Workplace – Carers Collective
• BITC Age Toolkit – Supporting Carers (May 2019)
• Carer-friendly workplaces guide – CIPD
• Employers Support for Carers – Carers Trust
• Supporting working carers: benefits for employers and employees – CIPD