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New return to work advice for carers The Government’s adult careers service Next Step is now providing a new online service, helping adults make choices about which skills and courses are best suited to them. The website includes advice for carers seeking to return to work: https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/HelpAdviceandMoney/adviceforyoursituation/carers/Pages/default.aspx It is part of a wider support programme, which also includes face to face and telephone services, offering…

Today (1 October 2010), millions of people caring unpaid for disabled people gained new rights under the Equality Act 2010 which will mean that they cannot be directly discriminated against or harrassed because they are caring for someone who is disabled. Statement from Carers UK: Imelda Redmond CBE, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said, "We often hear of situations where carers have been treated less…

Plans to make it easier for people to balance work and family life were set out by Employment Relations Minister Edward Davey today (30 September 2010). The Minister signalled the Government's intention to bring forward proposals to create more flexible, family friendly workplaces. He announced that: the right to request flexible working will be extended to parents of children under 18 from April 2011 –…

The Government has announced its intention to refresh the National Carers Strategy and put together an action plan for the next five years. Paul Burstow MP, Minister for Care Services, has said that the vision from the last Strategy in 2008 will remain, but that a new action plan will outline the "key activities upon which the Government can focus" to "ensure maximum value for…