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Newark and Sherwood District Council awarded accreditation as a carer-friendly employer.

Posted on: Thursday, November 23, 2023

Anyone can find themselves in a position where they become a carer, that is anyone who provides unpaid care by looking after someone who is older, disabled or seriously ill. For some this may also include juggling a career with their responsibilities as a carer.

Newark and Sherwood District Council has been working with the Nottinghamshire Carers Association to give employees the re-assurance and support they need if they find themselves in this position and today has achieved an accreditation as a carer-friendly employer.

To achieve this the District Council has pledged to:

  • Acknowledge and support informal Carers within its organisation.
  • Nominate a Carers’ Champion.
  • Review their policies and procedures
  • Communicate the support available to Carers throughout its organisation.

To support this pledge, the Nottinghamshire Carers Association will provide training to a team of carers champions within the District Council and will provide the most up to date information and resources to help support carers within the organisation.

“We know that many people who act as carers may not see themselves in that way. Others may worry about what their employers think of them if they say they are acting as a carer. We want Newark and Sherwood District Council to be seen as a supportive employer for all carers,” explains Councillor Susan Crosby, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Leisure at Newark and Sherwood District Council.  “So, we are making sure that managers are trained to give support to their staff who may also be acting as a carer. Having open conversations about this issue can help carers feel supported during what can be a very challenging time in their lives.

“We will be offering drop-in sessions during the working week to get staff together to support each other in their roles as carers. In this type of situation, it is always good to know that you aren’t alone and there are other people, possibly even colleagues, going through similar experiences.”

The accreditation certificate was handed to John Robinson, Chief Executive of Newark and Sherwood District Council and Councillor Susan Crosby in a special ceremony at Castle House on Thursday 23 November. This day is also Carers Rights Day, designated by Carers UK as the day when the rights and needs of unpaid carers are put into focus.

To find out more about accreditation through Nottinghamshire Carers, visit their website, https://nottinghamshirecarers.co.uk/

For more information on Carers Rights Day visit https://www.carersuk.org/news-and-campaigns/our-campaigns/carers-rights-day/.