Support at Work

Support in Work

Sometimes contractual rights can be more generous than your statutory rights, so it’s worth looking into your terms of employment or policies at work to see if they offer any benefits. You could also ask your employer if they offer any specific support for carers. 

Telling your employer about your caring role

It is your choice whether to tell your employer about your caring role or not. 

To find out whether there is a carer’s policy or any extra support for carers in your workplace, you could check your contract of employment, staff handbook, HR policies or letter of appointment. 

If there is a carer’s policy then what support it will offer will depend on your workplace. Examples include: 

• carers’ leave (paid or unpaid) 
• time off to accompany the person you are looking after to appointments (paid or unpaid) 
• a carers’ support group or contact. 

Telling other staff about your caring role

Colleagues can be very supportive, and it may help simply to discuss your situation with someone you can trust at work. 

Other colleagues may also have caring responsibilities, and sharing experiences may give you added motivation to talk to your employer about how you can be supported. This could even lead to the setting up of a support group or employee network.

Arranging extra support whilst you are in work

If you feel getting some additional support in place for the person you are looking after would help you balance working and caring then this can be arranged privately or through the local authority via a Carers assessment 

Do you need extra support for your own needs?

You may be able to get financial support through a grant if you have a disability or physical or mental health condition and need support with this for your employment.  

This could help pay for: 

• BSL interpreters, lip speakers or note takers 

• adaptations to your vehicle so you can get to work 
• taxi fares to work or a support worker if you cannot use public transport 
• a support worker or job coach to help you in your workplace. 

See the UK Government’s Access to Work page to find out about the criteria and what’s involved. 

Register With Us

By registering with us as a carer you will get access to a whole range of services, including advice, information, access to our groups, events and much more.

Need To Talk To Someone?

You can book a call with one of our support workers and talk to them about any of your concerns.