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Your rights at work
If you are in employment and your employer is aware of your caring role they should be able to put systems in place to help you, such as flexible working and time off in emergencies.
Any employee with over 26 weeks' service has the right to request flexible working. You are legally entitled to make one request every 12 months.
Carers First have lots of information on your rights.
You can find out more about your rights from Acas - which gives free impartial advice to employers and employees.
Returning to work
If you have been unable to work because of your caring role you may decide it is time to enter or re-enter the workplace - either full or part time.
Carers have valuable skills and knowledge, and there is help and support available to help you find paid employment.
To help you get ready to return you work, you could:
- sign up for training or education
- undertake volunteer work to get experience
- get skills from a hobby or interest
These organisations can help you get back into work:
- Adult and community learning lists local colleges and providers where you can find education and training courses.
- Merton Connected can help match you with volunteering opportunities. Volunteering can increase your confidence and may be a step towards paid work.
- Job Centre Plus advisors should have information on support available.
- Strive Training offers courses on employability, business management, hospitality and more. They are free for unemployed adults over 19.
- Love London Working is a training and employment programme that aims to help Londoners over the age of 16 into employment
- London Learning Consortium offers a variety of training courses. Adults over 19 may be eligible for funding.
- GSS (training & careers) offers training courses and webinars to help support Merton residents get back into work
Benefits
If you return to work and are continuing to care for someone you may still be entitled to some benefits. Depending on your earnings, you may also be eligible for financial help to get started in work. Contact our Welfare Benefits Service for more information.
Reducing the time you spend caring
If you need to reduce the amount of care and support you give someone to return to work, you can request an assessment or reassessment of the person you care for. Email: ASCFirstResponse@merton.gov.uk or call 020 8545 4388 for more information.
Courses to help with caring
The following organisations offer advice and training courses to support carers in Merton with their caring role:
South West London Recovery College offers wellbeing courses to South West London & St George’s Mental Health Trust patients and their families, friends and carers (including those discharged within the past 12 months).
Alzheimer’s Society Merton's Dementia Hub provides training programmes for carers of people with dementia.
Email merton@alzheimers.org.uk or call 020 8687 0922