Nearly 250,000 carers in Scotland juggle paid work and care and as many as three out of five have to reduce their working hours or give up work altogether. Loss of employment can mean carers face poverty, social isolation and poor pension provision.  Keeping a job, or returning to a job, can mean carers facing barriers such as:

• loss of confidence and work skills
• finding good quality, flexible and affordable alternative care
• finding an understanding employer
• bridging the gap between benefits and work

Making progress

Carers Scotland and Carers UK have

• secured rights for carers to take time off to deal with emergencies
• strengthened the law to ensure employment issues are addressed by social services
• developed a national training programme for carers designed to build confidence and identify skills for training or work
• worked with major employers such as BT and British Gas to change how they support their employees who juggle work and caring.

Carers Scotland and Carers UK are calling for

• a right to request flexible working for carers.
• a tax credit to help carers juggle work and care.
• more employers to introduce targeted support for carers.
• better alternative care so that carers can still work and continue caring.