Working and caring

There are estimated to be at least 3 million working carers in the UK - that is 1 in 7 of the workforce. Twenty per cent of working carers are in full time employment.

Many carers face considerable difficulties in balancing work with their caring responsibilities. These links can provide you with information to help you balance your needs and make the choices that are right for you.

These are some of the issues you may be concerned about:

• your rights as an employee
• organising day care
• staying in work – while you are caring
• leaving work
• returning to work
• dealing with emergencies

Local support

• Carers' Centres
• Oxfordshire Carers' Forum

Flexible working and family friendly policies

Working for:

• Oxfordshire County Council
• Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals
• Oxford City Council

Learning and careers advice

New Start free adult learning careers guidance: North 01295 265 160; Oxford: 01865 798081; South: 01235 534086

National organisations

General Information for working carers:

• Employers for Carers website
• Action for carers and employment
• Carers UK
• Job Centre Plus
• Government information about working

Employment rights

• A guide to your rights as an employee  - a complete up to date guide to your rights as an employee. Also offers fixed price legal advice over the phone
• Acas
• Department of Trade and Industry information - Department of Trade and Industry pages about individual and collective rights at work
• Multikulti website - basic but useful information available in 13 languages on a range of employment and other rights and benefits

Pension information

• Department for Work and Pensions information for working and/ or disabled carers