Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has plans to provide further resources to carers to help (a) remain in or (b) return to work.

The Government recognises the important contribution of unpaid carers and the considerable challenges they can face in balancing work with their caring responsibilities.

Unpaid carers can access a range of support in Jobcentres to help them find employment.

The Government has consulted on proposals for a new entitlement to carer’s leave. The Government response to the consultation committed to introducing carer’s leave as a day 1 right. We are aware of Wendy Chamberlain MP’s Private Member’s Bill on Carer’s Leave and are looking closely at whether we can support this at Second Reading. That Bill would introduce carer’s leave for all employees who are providing care for a dependant with a long-term care need. Eligible employees will be entitled to one week of unpaid leave per year, which will be available to take including flexibly in individual or half days.

The Adult Social Care Reform White Paper: People at the Heart of Care, sets out a new strategic approach to empower unpaid carers including identifying, recognising and involving unpaid carers; supporting the economic and social participation of unpaid carers and working with sector to kick start a change in the services provided to support unpaid carers.

Local authorities are required to undertake a Carer’s Assessment for any carer who has a need for support. This is an opportunity to record the impact caring has on a carer, including whether they are willing or able to continue caring. If a carer is assessed as having needs that are eligible for support, then the local authority has a legal duty to meet these needs on request from the carer and to draw up a support plan with the carer setting out how these needs will be met.