Two thirds of working carers worry about lack of support from employers and lack of social care

Nearly two-thirds (62 per cent) of unpaid carers said they had given up opportunities at work because of a lack of understanding from employers and a lack of social care, a new report reveals.

The research published by Carers UK, shows that whilst employers have implemented flexible working practices since the pandemic, most carers are still worried about juggling work and care.

The survey reveals one quarter of unpaid carers said their employer was not understanding of caring and one fifth of unpaid carers said they needed affordable and accessible care otherwise they would be at risk of reducing their working hours or giving up altogether because of the lack of social care.

Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said: “Carers have been providing more care than ever, with very few getting the breaks they need and the support they normally rely on. As a result, they are exhausted and in poorer health.

“There is more employers can do to support carers. They can throw workers a lifeline like flexible working and carer’s leave that is not only supportive for carers, but makes good business sense, too. Leading good practice employers have demonstrated that supporting carers and providing greater flexibility is not only desirable, it’s also very doable.

“There’s no time to lose. With labour markets tight, it’s essential for business to maintain productivity levels and keep key staff.”

'Greater investment in care services' is required so carers can 'stay in paid work'

Juggling work and unpaid care was already a challenge pre-pandemic, with an estimated 600 people a day giving up work to care. However, since the pandemic, a staggering 2.8 million workers became unpaid carers virtually overnight. This took the level of caring from an estimated one in seven workers pre-pandemic to one in five.

The survey shows some employers have moved to more flexible working measures since the pandemic and become more supportive towards carers.

Two-fifths (39 per cent) of unpaid carers said they had the ability to work from home, but only one in five (22 per cent) said they had access to carer's leave and while a further 20 per cent polled said they would be at risk of reducing their hours or giving up work if they did not have access to affordable social care, just nine per cent of working carers said they had access to this.

Ms Walker said: “It’s great to see that flexible working and carers’ support within the workplace has made progress, but we can see from carers’ experiences that we’re at a crossroads where it’s still make or break for many.

“The other part of the equation is greater investment in care services that carers both need and rely on in order to stay in paid work. There is only so far flexible working from employers can compensate for a lack of good quality care services.”

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) support Carers UK’s call for greater recognition and support for carers and call on the government for immediate investment to avoid carers “breaking down” resulting in further pressures on health and care services, with “devastating impacts” for all, especially those “who are older or disabled.”

Stephen Chandler, President of ADASS said: "This important report underlines the vital contribution that carers make – they are the backbone of our economy and our care services. It also shows the major impact that caring has for someone’s own health and well-being.

“We have ourselves previously called for £1.5bn to support carers to get a break to enable them to keep going over winter.

"As we reform adult social care, we need to radically re-think the relationship between working and caring. At a time when the economy is shouting out for workers, we must do more to support carers, with regular breaks, stronger employment rights and greater support to remain in employment.”

To read the report, go to https://www.carersuk.org/images/News_and_campaigns/Carers_Rights_Day/CRD_2021/CUK_Carers_Rights_Day_Research_Report_2021_WEB.pdf