Department for Work and Pensions: Carers

(asked on 11th January 2018) - View Source

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has a carer's policy for its employees; and what other steps her Department has taken to support employees with caring responsibilities.


Answered by
Kit Malthouse Portrait
Kit Malthouse
This question was answered on 18th January 2018

DWP has a range of support in place to help employees manage caring responsibilities with their work commitments, this provision includes:

  • HR policies to support employees with caring responsibilities, i.e. flexible working policies, alternative working patterns, job share opportunities, career breaks
  • A dedicated DWP carers website which provides easy access to a range of information for employees, including a Carers Toolkit, signposting to the Carers Passport, supportive external organisations and case studies from carers in DWP
  • Access to a DWP employee Carers Support Group and Civil Service Job Share Networks
  • Membership of Employers for Carers and free access to the Carers UK website and dedicated support
  • Employee Assistance Programme provision and information on childcare and eldercare
  • Promotion of the Charity for Civil Servants, For You By You, which provides a range of support services for employees, including access to their Carers Passport and practical information for carers
  • Regular communication and advice on health and wellbeing to help staff achieve good work life balance and raise awareness of the departmental and external support available
  • Access to a board level DWP Carers Champion to ensure carers’ needs are fully supported
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