News

Advice on combining paid work and caring

23rd November 2018

TAGS employment, work

  • If you are struggling to combine paid work and caring, a specialist employment advice service for carers, provided by Sheffield Carers Centre through the Sheffield Occupational Health Advisory Service (SOHAS), might be able to help.

    SOHAS understands the challenges for working parent carers, such as getting time off work in order to attend a child’s frequent medical appointments, or to respond to changes in their condition. SOHAS can give accurate and confidential advice, guidance and support to workers and employers. This ranges from employment rights and flexible working, to more detailed guidance on the Equality Act 2010 and making “reasonable adjustments” to a job. SOHAS regularly advocates on behalf of parent carers to address issues such as a lack of employer understanding or awareness, and they can signpost you to useful resources. You can contact SOHAS directly on 0114 275 5760 or by email on sohas@sohas.co.uk.

    Alongside providing access to employment advice, Sheffield Carers Centre can assess how caring impacts on different aspects of a carer’s life and provide a wide range of emotional and practical support. Contact their Carers Advice Line on 0114 272 8362 (9am-6pm, Monday-Friday) or email support@sheffieldcarers.org.uk.

    Our parent carer coffee morning on 11 December (10.30am-12pm, at St Mary’s Church and Conference Centre) will have a focus on combining paid work and caring. Just pop in to chat to a specialist advisor – no need to book.