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Education Support

It may be that you have been juggling schoolwork with a caring role for some time, deciding on your next steps can be daunting, however help is at hand to guide you through some of your options. Whether you want to start an apprenticeship or go to university we are here to support and guide you on the journey!

It is good to explore your options, do not close the door further education before seeking advise. Whether you want to start an apprenticeship or go to university we are here to support and guide you on the journey!

College or Sixth Form

After finishing school you may decide to complete a course at college or sixth form. Many colleges will ask during enrolment if you have caring responsibilities. It is your choice if you put this on your form, however by mentioning this to college before starting it can ensure that you are provided with the support and guidance you may require in college as soon as possible.

University

Similar to college different universities will offer different support to carers. It is worth speaking directly to universities about what support they can offer you as a carer.

Here are some top tips when thinking about university:

1. Do your research

Universities may offer different support to young people who have caring responsibilities, it is always worth researching what support the universities you are interested in provide. A few examples are: financial support, such as bursaries, academic support such as flexibility with deadlines, help managing your deadlines. Have a chat with the universities you are considering and ask what they offer as support.

2. Tell university about your caring responsibilities

By telling university aboutyour caring role as early as possible they can ensure that support, such as the examples listed above, can be put in place as early as possible to ensure a smooth transition into university

3. Talk about your strengths that have come from your caring role

As a carer you will have gained some amazing skills and strengths from the care you provide. Use your personal statement to highlight these! Examples could include: time management, organisational skills, communication skills, ability to work under pressure, managing a crisis situation, and much more!

4. Consider finances

Some universities offer Young Adult Carers bursaries, by following tip number 1 and doing your research you can find out which universities offer this financial support as not all will. UCAS offers advise with how to apply for this funding. Click the following link for more information:
https://www.ucas.com/finance/scholarships-grants-and-bursaries/scholarships-grants-and-bursaries-carefoyer-leaver-estranged-students-and-carers#:~:text=Eligibility%20for%20student%20carer%20funding

Employment Support

Juggling work and your caring role

Firstly, it is always a good idea to check your employers’ policies or staff handbook, as well as checking your contract to see how they support carers.  This is something that one of our Support Workers can help you with if you would like!
If you are part of a bigger organisation, they may have a HR department that you can speak to – it is always worth having a chat to discuss your caring role and how you can manage this with your work.

Flexible Working

Flexible working is any type of working pattern which is different from your existing one; this can include:

  • reducing your hours to work part-time
  • changing your start and finish time
  • having flexibility with your start and finish time (sometimes known as ‘flexitime’)
  • completing your hours over fewer days (‘compressed hours’)
  • working from home or elsewhere (‘remote working’)
  • sharing the job with someone else
  • swapping your shifts

If you have worked at your organisation for at least 26 weeks, you are entitled to make a flexible working request. You can only make one request within a year and your employer has up to 3 months to make a decision.

If you feel that you need support to write a flexible working request to help manage your caring role and work, please inform your Support Worker who will be happy to help.

Special leave in emergencies

You are entitled to take time off work in case of an emergency involving someone who depends on you. This is sometimes called ‘compassionate leave’.

Your employer can’t penalise you for taking the time off, as long as your reason for requesting the time off is genuine. It is up to your employer as to whether the time off is paid or unpaid.

An emergency could involve:

  • A last minute change to care arrangements
  •  The person you care for becomes suddenly ill or has an accident (this can be either physical or emotional pain)

We can help to inform your employer

You may find that your employer isn’t aware of the rights of carers or the support available.  We are always happy to help!  If you need support in approaching your employer, just let us know.  We can help to speak with them on your behalf or alongside you…whatever works for you.  Where employers are interested in bringing more awareness and support into the workplace about carers, we can provide lots of help and advice to make doing this easier for them.

CLICK HERE to listen to our podcast on how your skills as a carer can be transferred into the world of work.

Your rights as a carer in employment

It is important that you know your rights as a carer in employment. CLICK HERE to download the Carers UK ‘Your Rights in Work factsheet’