Employment

As a carer, you may already combine looking after someone at home while working. Or you may be looking to get back into employment and continue to care for someone. For many people paid work is important for many reasons, including financial independence and maintaining friendships.
 
Caring for someone whilst working
You may be thinking of leaving work altogether or reducing your hours.
 
Several important steps have been taken over the last few years to make things easier for people who juggle work with caring for someone. More and more employers are introducing flexible working schemes. Changes to work patterns, or being able to work for a 'family-friendly' employer, could make all the difference to you being able to care for someone and still work.
 
Carers may be working when the need to care for someone comes about, and the demands of combining working and caring can be stressful. It's important to let your employer know about your situation.
 
Many employers already offer schemes to help carers. Some provide information on caring, facilities and support groups in the local area. Some have confidential counselling or welfare services. Others support informal networks of carers within their workplace. Here are a few things to consider:

• find out your employer's policy on carers (whether it's formal or otherwise)
• ask about flexible working opportunities. This could mean a change in hours, working part-time or from home
• could you take a short-term break from working?
• get help from social services

A carer's assessment is an important step in getting the support and services you need. If you work, or want to work, they must take this into account. The 'care plan' resulting from this will include the needs of the person you care for when you are not around.
 
The Employment Act (2002) now gives working parents of disabled children under 18 the right to request flexible working arrangements. Also, you have the right to take (unpaid) time off for dependants in cases of emergency.
 
Returning to work
A clear objective of the Government is to help carers who are unable to combine paid work with caring to return to work. This may be full-time or part time work.
 
You may want to:

• return to work when a period of caring has come to an end
• return, or start working, while still caring for somebody

If you've been caring for someone for a while, you may find it difficult to return to paid employment. You may have lost a bit of confidence and feel out of touch with the world of work.
 
However, whilst being a carer you will have learnt new skills that may be of benefit to many potential employers. Indeed, some employers actively recruit carers who gave up work but now wish to return.
 
You need to take into account any additional costs you may be responsible for as a result of going into paid employment, for example, additional help at home.
 
Ways into employment
If there isn't a job waiting for you there are several options:

• you could begin by talking to others who have been in a similar position or organisations that can give advice
• visit your local Jobcentre Plus office and speak to an Employment Advisor. Let them know that you are either currently caring for somebody, or you are no longer looking after someone. You may have been out of work for a while and they should help ease the path back into employment. They can also give advice on training opportunities.

If you are considering a job opportunity, it's worth checking your potential employer's policy on carers. Also ask about flexible working opportunities.
 
The person you care for
One important consideration has to be the effect on the person you care for. For instance, can the right care be arranged for them when you are at work? Will the relationship between you change for the better when you return to work?
 
Money matters
Returning to work may have an impact on any entitlements and benefits that you receive as a carer. The amount of hours you do, how much you earn and your savings will be taken into consideration.