Whether you've got a job, you're looking for a job, or just want to learn something new – there's plenty of good advice to help you.
Getting a job
Looking for work might feel like a big task, but carers have many skills which can be transferred to the workplace.
- The Skills Health Check from the National Careers Service can help you decide what kind of job might be right for you.
- Job Centre Plus can help you to get a job. Visit your local office to find out about support for carers to get back to work.
When you get a job
Your rights at work
You don’t have to tell your work that you're a carer, but if you do then your employer must offer you certain legal rights, including:
- the right to ask for flexible working – such as reducing your hours or working from home
- time off in emergencies – if the person you care for falls ill, has an accident or is without care unexpectedly, you have the right to take time off work to deal with it.
Your employer isn't obliged to offer you more than your legal rights, but some workplaces have policies that might give you more support or time off, for example through applying for a career break. Check with your employer or HR department to find out more.
Read more about your statutory rights as a working carer (Carers UK).
Volunteering
Volunteering can give you an opportunity to use your skills without the commitment of paid employment. It can also help you to return to work if that’s what you want.
Courses for carers
- Caring with Confidence - free sessions about being a carer, offered by Carers in Hertfordshire. They cover issues such as looking after your health and managing your money.
- Step2Skills - our adult learning service offers a range of low cost courses so you can learn photography, cookery or even a musical instrument. The criteria to access the support differs, so check the website to see what covers your individual circumstances.
- Carers UK Digital Resources - all unpaid carers in Hertfordshire can access digital resources for free with access code: DGTL1542.
There are a variety of elearning courses to help you identify and find resources, technology and sources of support to help you in your caring responsibilities.
- New Leaf Recovery and Wellbeing College Courses to support personal recovery.
For time off to attend a course, find out how to get respite – a break from caring.