Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, whether his Department has a carer's policy for its employees; and what other steps his Department has taken to support employees with caring responsibilities.

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO), the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the Government Legal Department (GLD), the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) have no specific carer’s policy, but operate a number of policies that support employees with caring responsibilities, including flexible working, and opportunities for special leave and career breaks.

In addition, and as part of encouraging diversity and inclusion within the organisation, GLD has set up a staff carers network that raises awareness of caring related issues across the Department and provides an additional source of support to those staff in the network. In the future, GLD, the AGO and HMCPSI will look to adopt the carers’ charter currently being developed by Civil Service Employee Policy, and introduce the carer’s passport so that people moving around the organisation for developmental or career reasons will be able to discuss and manage their situation with their new management in a more open and consistent manner.

CPS offer advice and guidance from their ‘Employee Assistance’ providers and a member of the SFO’s senior management team has been appointed as a Flexible Working Champion to ensure that all staff are fully supported in any personal commitments, such as caring responsibilities and is establishing a group to help promote and embed the ideals of flexible working within the SFO.