Carer Positive

"Employers need to be alive to the issues around, and impact of, providing unpaid care. Not only is there a commercial incentive to do so, given the likely number of affected employees in the workforce, but there will likely soon be greater legislative obligations and protections in this area too."
Check out this article about the Carers Leave Bill in The Scotsman:

Employers need to be alive to the pressures faced by unpaid carers - Blair Duncan Unpaid carers represent a large (and growing) portion of the population. Carers UK estimates that there are as many as 10.6 million unpaid carers, or one in five UK adults, the majority of whom are women.

: People with caring responsibilities may be cautious about disclosing their caring role at work. If employers would like staff to be more open about this, they must show that they understand the challenges carers face and want to learn more about their situation in order to support them.

📢Employers in Edinburgh and Midlothian - VOCAL Edinburgh offer free training courses for employers based in the Edinburgh and Midlothian area (even if you have employees throughout Scotland).
Find out more here: vocal.org.uk/how-vocal-can-help/for-employers/training-courses/

Training courses - VOCAL As a leading Scottish carers centre, we provide free training sessions for Edinburgh and Midlothian employers across public, private and third sectors.

: There are many reasons why someone may feel uncomfortable disclosing their status as a carer at work. Employers need to work to show that they are aware of caring and want to offer workplace support those with caring responsibilities.
🔗 carerpositive.org

Thinking about a holiday for 2023? Our friends at VOCAL have a lovely holiday cottage in Blair Atholl. 🏡 It is available for breaks for carers, as well as paid bookings - the proceeds from which go on to fund the cottage operations.
Find out more here:

Hawthorn Brae Hawthorn Brae Cottage Hawthorn Brae Cottage A beautiful self-catering cottage in the village of Blair Atholl, providing unpaid carers and people with life-limiting conditions with a relaxing break from caring routines. Hawthorn Brae cottage is managed by VOCAL, through the donation of EMMS Internati...

: Identifying carers in your workplace is important when thinking about creating workplace support for them, however this can be easier said then done! A great first step is including questions about caring responsibilities inductions, appraisals and surveys.

Carers of East Lothian have been recognised as Exemplary level Employers! This is our highest level of award, presented to organisations which are going above and beyond to build support for members of staff with caring responsibilities. Well done CoEL! 🏆👏

Wendy Chamberlain MP's Carers Leave Bill has successfully passed through the House of Commons! Although we encourage employers to offer paid carers leave where possible, making unpaid leave available for all working carers would be a huge step forward.
Read more about the story here: https://www.carersuk.org/press-releases/landmark-carer-s-leave-bill-passes-all-stages-in-the-house-of-commons/

Registration is now open for the Carers Scotland 2023 Summit. This will be a hybrid event (where you are able to attend either in-person or online) on Thursday 16th March. Find out more and register your place here: 🔗

Date announced for Scotland Carers Summit 2023 | Carers UK Hear about Scotland's new Carers Strategy, learn about enabling greater independent living through technology, talk about social connections, reducing isolation and employability, find help with the cost of living.

Did you know the Scottish Business Pledge recommends the Carer Positive initiative as a way for Scottish employers to support in their workforce?
Visit http://carerpositive.org for more information, resources and advice.

: If you are thinking of creating a group for carers in your workplace, discuss with the carers involved what format would suit them best. Both online and in person groups can have benefits depending on the nature of the organisation and the needs of the carers.

You may have seen Social Security Scotland have now been recognised as an Exemplary level employer. Our new case study video highlights the support for working carers at the organisation -

Social Security Scotland: A Carer Positive Case Study Nicola from Social Security Scotland discusses the support being developed for members of staff with caring responsibilities, while Gayle speaks about her e...