Help for Carers > Education, training and employment > Staying in employment

Staying in employment

Employment Relations Act 1999

We have been told that staying in work whilst looking after someone can be very difficult. According to a General Household Survey (1995) 49% of the Carers in Great Britain are currently in full time or part time work. Research by the Department for Education and Skills (DFES) indicates some 13% of everyone in work has caring responsibilities.

There is national recognition of the concerns of carers wanting to stay ing work. The ''National Strategy for Carers'' gives governmental recognition that ''Flexibility is the single most important factor which enables'' carers to ''successfully combine paid work with caring.''

Getting the balance right?
If you are thinking you may have to give up your job to provide care, but don't want to - have a look at this: Factsheet: Flexible Working - from the Working Families organisation

You can get more information from:

www.carers.org - help and advice on Carers and Employment from the Princess Royal Trust for Carers (PRTC)

www.dti.gov.uk - your right to time off work to cope with a family emergency - information from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

www.workingfamilies.org.uk - information for working families and details of the support offered on employment rights, childcare and flexible working from the Working Families organisation.

There are people who can help:

West Sussex Carers Network Carers Support Services across West Sussex