Supporting Working Carers: The Benefits to Families, Business and the Economy

The Employers for Carers and Department of Health Task and Finish Group was set up in 2012 to explore ways in which carers – people looking after a family member or friend who is sick, ill or disabled – can be supported to combine work and care. It has gathered national evidence from an expert Steering Group and a wider reference group, evidence from Europe and evidence directly from employers and business. This is a report of its findings and recommendations.

Norman Lamb MP, Minister of State for Care and Support, Department of Health – “This report is a landmark statement from business and Government that more can and should be done to support people who want to combine caring for a family member with working. Currently, too many people feel unable to do this. This is damaging not just to these people and their families, but also to businesses and the wider economy.

It is only through a combination of support within and outside of the workplace that this issue can be properly addressed. There are of course already many employers who recognize that they can ill afford to lose key staff like this and that there is a business imperative to support families to balance work and care. We now need to spread this good practice. It is equally important that the care sector grows and evolves to offer more flexible services that support carers to work. This is an opportunity to see care as a growth sector, which could generate jobs across the UK.

If we can get this right, there are substantial gains to be made. Individuals will gain from the health and financial benefits of work and maintaining a life of their own alongside caring; businesses and their clients will gain from retaining talented employees; and the wider economy will gain from growth in the care sector. This report makes a number of valuable recommendations that will help to drive forward this agenda”.

Read the full report here