Carers Looking For Work
Jobcentre Plus Support for Carers Looking for Work
Job Centre Plus is offering a new service to carers. As part of a Government plan to improve the quality of lives of people who spend a significant amount of time as a carer, they have launched a project called ‘Work Focussed Support for Carers’. This will offer advice in taking the steps towards finding a job and will include sessions with a Personal Adviser trained in working with carers, who will provide practical advice on finding a job and accessing training.
Very importantly for carers, the project will provide respite costs to allow carers to attend advice and training sessions! The responsibility for arranging the replacement care will lie with the individual and Jobcentre Plus cannot recommend any specific provider.
This project is available to existing Job Centre Plus customers who also have caring responsibilities. It is also open to carers who are on Carers Allowance but is also open to those carers not receiving any benefits. The project is totally voluntary and there is no obligation for anyone to enter or complete the scheme - so you don’t have to take it up if you don’t want to.
Work Focused Support for Carers is available to carers who:
• do not work or work less than 16 hours a week
• are aged 18 or over
• are not able to get help from Job Centre Plus
Click here for more information about the scheme in Renfrewshire
Click here for more information from Direct Gov
To find out more, make an appointment (of up to an hour) at your local Job Centre Plus at;
Job Centre Plus
2 Lonend
Paisley
PA1 1SS
0845 604 3719
Renfrewshire Workforce Plus Programme
Renfrewshire Workforce Plus Programme RWf Plus is there to help Renfrewshire residents who are on benefits and out of work access employment services as easily as possible. RWf + is made up of a number of different schemes that provides employment support, careers guidance, debt and money advice and childcare costs. The support includes:
- Equal access to employment
- Equal access to career planning
- Equal access to health and employability
- Equal access money advice
- Mentoring support to 14-21 year olds
- Vocational learning for 14-18 year olds
- Preparing young people for work.
- Support for those young people who are not in education triaining or employment
Application forms for this Programme is available from Amy at the Carers Centre 0141 887 3643
Flexible Working
You may be balancing your caring role with part time or full time employment. ‘Flexible working’ is a working pattern which helps balance the needs of your job and caring commitments and includes working to flexi-time or part time, job sharing or working from home. You have a right to ask for flexible working arrangements if you have been at your work for at least 26 weeks and you, are responsible for a child under 16 (or a disabled child under 18 who receives Disability Living Allowance), or if you are a carer of a spouse or civil partner or other adult who lives with you.
You need to apply to your employer and agree a new arrangement with them. Your Employer must seriously consider any application you make but they are not legally obliged to agree – but they might just offer a compromise and you have the right of appeal. There is a useful tool on the Directgov website that provides more details on requests for flexible working and allows you to explore how you can achieve a better worklife balance www.directgov.gov.uk
