What is a carer friendly organisation?

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A Carer friendly organisation:

Enables carers to balance their paid work with their caring responsibilities and as a result retain the services of these valued employees.

Allows carers to be open about their situation and be proactive in early identification of carers to ask them what they need.

Ensures specific training is provided to provide effective support to carers.

Is proactive in creating a workplace which promotes the take-up of carer support to avoid carers feeling that they will be treated less favourably if they take up any of the policies.

Monitors the take-up of support and determine the benefits to employees and to your organisation

Could have a have a senior level carers champion. Many employers have found it useful to have a senior level carers champion, as an ambassador and promote the policies available.

To be a Carer Friendly Organisation you will have:

Provided Information

You have provided staff with information about who carers are, the issues they face and support available to them. This information is also included in the induction of all new staff and volunteers throughout the workforce.

Provided Carer Annual Reviews

All staff within the organisation are asked at commencement of employment and at annual reviews if they have caring responsibilities that they would like to make the organisation aware of. Although disclosure of caring responsibilities will be encouraged, it must be optional.

Provided Support Plans

All identified carers within the workforce are offered an individual support plan which is recorded and reviewed at intervals agreed between the employee and their manager.

A Carers Policy

The organisation has implemented a standalone ‘Carers Policy’ for staff and a member of management is allocated with the responsibility for updating and implementing the policy.

A Senior Carer Lead

A member of management within the service is assigned as a ‘Senior Carer Lead,’ responsible for ensuring that carers are considered and championed within the organisation.

Provided Consultation

Carers are consulted with and listened to about matters within the workplace that affect them. This must be open to all staff and include the option to respond anonymously, to capture carers who have not yet disclosed their caring role.