Carers in Employment Launch

Carers in employment
•Nearly one in eight workers is a Carer
•One in five carers gives up employment to care

Today see’s the launch of DCA’s Carers in employment initiative at Mercia Marina, Willington where employers from across the region have come together to see how as employers they can better support their staff who are also unpaid Carers outside the work place.

There are more than three million people who currently have work and family caring responsibilities within the UK. It is approximated that 1 in 9 of a workforce in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire has unpaid caring responsibilities at any one time. Giving them support to manage unpaid caring alongside their paid work would benefit them, their families and their employer. This work results in British businesses and the UK economy potentially saving up to £1.3 billion a year. (www.gov.uk)

DCA have teamed up with The University of Derby, Learn Direct and the Chamber of Commerce and other major employers and SME’s to help small and medium enterprises support the Carers employed by them. Supporting Carers in Employment will help valued, trained team members to continue in employment and achieve a realistic work/life balance.

Employers will be invited to sign a pledge to show their commitment to Carers within their service.
Employers who sign the Pledge will benefit from free training, resources and ongoing support from DCA. Areas of support will be, but not limited to new company policy covering the new rights for Carers in employment, working and caring and support available within the wider community for Carers.

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive, East Midlands Chamber
“Where possible, carers should be encouraged to remain in work and encouraged to progress their careers. Employers should be encouraged to develop flexibility to ensure carers can care and still be valued in their workplace. That is what Carers in Employment is trying to achieve and that is why the Chamber is happy to support it”.

“The majority of carers are of working age and the peak age for caring (50 – 64) often coincides with the peak of an individual’s career. One in five people in this age bracket are carers, including one in four women and one in six men”. (Census, 2011)”

Narinder Sharma, Chief Executive, DCA
“We are delighted that the Local Enterprise Partnership is making a commitment to workers who are bearing the strain of caring for a loved one. We will help local employers help their employees. It makes business sense for employers to retain their most skilled workers who are juggling with caring issues and work”.

For more information call DCA on 01773 833 833 or email employers@derbyshirecarers.co.uk