Working conditions

In 2009, HR commissioned two pieces of research on employees with caring responsibilities. The first focused on the external picture - the legislation, good practice, and exemplar employers. The second garnered the views of interested parties in DH; namely, carers, line managers and staff networks. The outcomes from the external review are available on the Carers page on Delphi, together with a specific policy for carers, based on the themes drawn from both pieces of research.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) commissioned the Social Policy Research Unit at the University of York to conduct research exploring the aspirations and decisions around work and retirement of people looking after disabled or sick relatives, friends, or older people. The study involved three elements: a literature review; in-depth interviews with 80 carers; and focus groups with professionals from Jobcentre Plus, social services departments and carers organisations who worked with carers.