Business, Government and charity leaders today backed better
support for staff who balance a job with caring for an older or
disabled person.
Ministers also announced that six government departments will
sign an agreement with Employers for Carers on how they will work
in partnership to develop and promote support for carers in the
workplace. This will include guidance for employers and raising
awareness of employees’ right to request flexible working.
Care Services Minister Phil Hope, Children’s Minister Baroness
Delyth Morgan and Equalities Minister Michael Foster met with BT’s
Director of People and Policy Caroline Waters OBE and Carers UK’s
Chief Executive Imelda Redmond CBE at the Department of Health in
Whitehall.
They stressed the importance of retaining experienced staff in
the early stages of economic recovery and called on all employers
to consider their policy. It is estimated that 1 in 7 people in
work also have caring responsibilities. This is set to increase as
the number of people needing care will nearly double in the next
20 years.
Care Services Minister Phil Hope said:
”Britain’s population is ageing. The Government will soon publish
plans for a fair, simple and affordable National Care Service to
cope with the growing demand for care. But more people will have
to juggle a job with caring for an older friend or relative.
“Support like flexible working and short-term emergency leave can
help carers stay in work, retaining their experience in the
workforce. I hope all employers will recognise the benefits of
being carer friendly.“
Children’s Minister Delyth Morgan said:
“The Memorandum of Understanding is a vital step towards better
support for carers in this country. We know that many people
gladly take on caring responsibilities for relatives at some stage
in their lives. We must ensure that employers provide appropriate
support to their employees who have caring responsibilities, as
well as looking at what more we can do to help families, in
particular young people, avoid being over-burdened by their caring
role.
“Through Support for All, the Families & Relationships
Green Paper, we have outlined a renewed approach to support for
carers of all ages and we are determined to make sure that all
carers have the support and appropriate respite they need at home
and at work. This will benefit the people they care for, their
employers, and most importantly themselves.”
Caroline Waters, Director of People and Policy for BT Group and
Chair of Employers for Carers, said:
“Employers for Carers is delighted to be a partner to this
landmark agreement.
“Forward looking employers are already supporting the carers in
their workforce to remain in, or return to, employment. But we
also need good public services – right across care and support,
education and skills – to truly make the choice to work a reality
for the UK’s carers. That’s why we welcome the creation and
publication today of this unique partnership agreement between
employers and government.
“This Memorandum creates a new model for action-based
collaboration between employers and government on key
social/labour market issues. Creating economic opportunity out of
demographic challenge, it is a best practice model that can be
adopted by other governments around the world to tackle what is a
global demographic and workforce issue.“
Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive, Carers UK, said:
“Carers UK warmly welcomes this unique agreement, where, for the
first time, six Government departments have understood the
significance of supporting carers in the workplace. It is still a
common occurrence that people fall out of work unnecessarily
because of caring responsibilities. A staggering one in six people
give up work to care for a relative or friend who becomes
disabled, ill or frail not only at great personal cost, but also
at significant cost to the economy.
“Carers UK has been working with employers for many years to help
them retain their staff, resulting in demonstrable business
benefits. Supporting carers in the workplace is not just about
helping families to manage their daily lives but it is also about
helping employers to retain talent in their workforce which is
vital for a strong economy.”
Notes to Editors
1. The Memorandum of Understanding sets out how Employers for
Carers and the Government can work together to implement the
Government’s ‘Carers Strategy’. The Strategy’s commitments include:
An awareness-raising campaign to ensure that carers and
employers are aware that carers have the right to request flexible
working. Production of a good practice guide for all employers on
the benefits of recruiting carers. To review the definition of
‘carer’ in the flexible working regulations to consider extending
it to the 20% of carers who currently miss out (these are carers
who are not a close relation of the person they care for or do not
live with them). Changes to Jobcentre Plus to ensure that it
provides a better service to carers, including supporting carers
to get into work. Encouraging more flexible learning opportunities
to be made available to carers.
2. The Memorandum is being signed by:
Employers for Carers; Department for Business, Innovation and
Skills; Department for Children, Schools and Families; Department
for Communities and Local Government; Department of Health;
Department for Work and Pensions; Government Equalities Office;
and Carers UK
3. Employers for Carers is a membership forum which identifies
and promotes the business benefits of supporting carers in the
workplace. It provides advice and support for employers seeking to
develop carer-friendly policy and practice and retain skilled
workers. Visit www.employersforcarers.org
4. More advice and support on flexible working is available at www.businesslink.gov.uk
and details of how employers can support carers in the workplace
are available from a range of sources, including ACAS and Directgov
The Carers Strategy, Carers at the heart of 21 st century
families and communities, is available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_085345
5. Carers looking for information and support can visit: http://www.nhs.uk/Carersdirect/Pages/CarersDirectHome.aspx
www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/CaringAndSupportServices
6. In order to meet the future demand on care services the
Government is planning a new simple, fair and affordable National
Care Service. Further details are available at: http://careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/
Contacts:
Department of Health
Phone: 020 7210 5221
NDS.DH@coi.gsi.gov.uk