Supporting Carers in Employment SeCurE:


Crossroads Care Cheshire East, Manchester & Tameside is developing a project to address the problems carers encounter in combining paid work and caring responsibilities. Research by Carers UK has revealed the following statistics.

• 3 Million Carers combine their caring responsibilities with paid work
• Around 1 in 5 carers will give up work to care
• Many carers would like to return to work

1 in 7 people in the workplace is a carer

How does this project work?
CCCEMT is working with local employers to raise awareness of carers issues and the most effective way to resolve any problems. We also work with carers to ensure they are aware of what help is available.

Research has shown that many people who are faced with a caring responsibility often struggle and end up feeling they have no option but to leave work. However, if well supported, most carers would prefer to stay in employment. This project aims to help the carer remain in work and enable the employer to retain a well trained, experienced workforce and avoid the expense of recruiting and training new staff.

Practical Help
In addition to providing support in the workplace, CCCEMT deliver practical help which enables a carer to work in the knowledge that their loved one is being supported during the working day. This support can include:

• One off support to enable employees to attend conferences, training etc
• A helpline – to support the cared for during the working day
• Lunchtime calls – to enable the carer to remain at work
• Assistance with hospital/doctor appointments
• Tie in with Carers Emergency Response Service (CERS) – see relevant service page

If you are a carer struggling to juggle all your responsibilities or an employer who would like further details regarding this project, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Supporting Carers Into Employment
Crossroads Care Cheshire East, Manchester & Tameside is working closely with Jobcentre Plus as a provider of replacement care to enable carers to retrain, develop skills and confidence to allow them to consider entering or returning to paid employment through Work Focused Support for Carers (WFSC). Download Job Centre Plus Factsheet here

This new initiative is a voluntary scheme to support and encourage carers to access appropriate training opportunities taking full account of their caring role.

As part of this action plan to enable carers to move closer to the labour market, funding for replacement care may be available whilst they attend appointments, take part in a training course or attend interviews.

Jobcentre Plus staff have received specialist training to help them better understand carer needs.
These personal advisers will provide tailored support to carers who were previously unable to access employment programmes.

To obtain further information please contact: ngraham@crossroadsce.org.uk

or visit the Jobcentre Plus web site at: www.direct.gov.uk/carersemployment


Due to your caring role do you feel unable to consider paid employment or access to training for a new job?

Then perhaps Work Focused Support for Carers will enable you to combine both your roles by providing replacement care and support whilst training, preparing for and attending interviews.

Contact details

Nanette Graham
SeCurE Project Worker
Crossroads Care Cheshire East, Manchester & Tameside
Overton House
West Street
Congleton
Cheshire
CW12 1JY

Tel 01260 292850
Fax 01260 292851
Email ngraham@crossroadsce.org.uk

Crossroads Care Cheshire East, Manchester & Tameside
6 Barlow Moor Road
Didsbury
Manchester
M20 6TR

Tel 0161 445 9595
Fax 0161 448 6952
Email manchester@crossroads.org.uk