Learning & Work - Information
& Advice Service
Ability Northants are now able to provide FREE impartial,
confidential advice and information on training and work for Carers
of/or for people with disabilities and long term health conditions.
The service gives an opportunity
to discuss training and work needs and support to identify appropriate
next steps as well as sign posting you to services and sources of help
available in Northamptonshire.
You need to make an appointment
to see their advisor, Louise Shaw on Tel. 01604 624088, Fax.
01604 605124 or
mail@abilitynorthants.org.uk Information on this services and
others provided can be found at
www.abilitynorthants.org.uk
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Are you caring for someone and are over
16?
Would you like to take a course in the comfort of your own home?
The 'Carers into
Education Project' can offer you:
● flexible
distance learning fitted around your caring responsibilities.
● support
from a subject tutor and a personal mentor
● reduced
fees - just 20% of the full course fee
● a range of
courses including: GCSE, AS, A level, vocational subjects such as
bookkeeping, childcare or counselling as well as recreational
subjects such as creative writing and art.
For further
details and information, please contact Sue Crowley, Carers
Educational Manager on 01223 400387
sue.cowley@nec.ac.uk or
visit the website
www.nec.ac.uk
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Carers across
the UK are set to benefit from the right to
request
flexible working.
To see the Department of Trade and
Industry press release and details about
Carers benefiting
from the right to request flexible working, which comes
into effect on the 6th April 2007. go to:
http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/detail.asp?ReleaseID=240916&NewsAreaID=2&N
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Carers and Employment Websites
There is growing interest in helping companies to provide conditions which
help carers to remain in work or to return to work if that is their wish.
This helps to maintain a stable work force, addresses the concerns and
difficulties for staff and can attract staff from areas where conditions
are unfavourable. The same is true from the carers point of view that it
may be possible to continue at work with a little help, flexibility and
understanding from an employer. For some carers this would be a real
advantage.
The following two websites provide details of the latest ideas and
projects that are in progress around the country. The websites will be of
interest to Local Authorities, other Statutory Organisations, Carer Groups
and of course to inform carers themselves of ideas that are being
developed.
National Action for Carers and Employment Partnership
www.acecarers.org.uk
Employers for Carers
www.employersforcarers.org.uk
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Elizabeth Nuffield, Educational Fund
The Elizabeth Nuffield Educational Fund was set up in 1956 to
provide grants to women studying to improve their employment prospects.
Grants are currently made to women on a low income studying for a first
qualification in higher education, to contribute to the costs of caring
for children or other family members.
In recent years there has been a notable increase in
the availability of childcare facilities, and financial support, for
women who wish to return to work or to study to improve their employment
prospects. There remains, however, a lack of information and support to
women wishing to study whilst caring for a disabled family member.
A guide commissioned by the fund to help Carers in
England. It helps in the following ways:
Identify suitable courses
Access available funding
locate good quality care provision
The guide is free of charge and available by the
following methods.
E-mail
publications@nuffieldfoundation.org
Download from
www.nuffieldfoundation.org/go/news/latest.html
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Carers ((Equal
Opportunities) Act comes into force
The Carers (Equal Opportunities)
Act 2004 was passed successfully in the summer 2004. On April 1st 2005
it came into force.
The new legislation will ensure that those with caring responsibilities
receive equal treatment with regards to access to lifelong learning and
employment opportunities.
City & Guilds’ online learning resource Learning for Living and its
supporting qualification: The Certificate in Personal Development &
Learning for Unpaid Carers provide carers with accessible learning and a
Level 2 qualification that can pave the way for further learning and
employment.
Therefore providing local authorities with an excellent tool to help
them implement the Act. Details of the New Act can be found at
www.carersuk.org
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Working Families,
www.workingfamilies.org.uk project is for parents of disabled children. It supports parents
trying to combine paid work and caring for disabled children. They staff a
helpline on 020 7253 7243, produce a newsletter three or four times a year
and sell a guidebook of practical advice, £2.99 to parents otherwise
£9.00.
Working Families are keen to
identify ‘Carer friendly employers’ and would be interested in hearing
from you via their website.
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Working Carers
Carers often give up employment as a result of their
caring role. If circumstances change and you wish to return to work after
a long period of unemployment then you may need some help.
The Employment and Disability Service is keen to supply
individually tailored solutions for people who have a disability, have
been unemployed for a long time, or those who are disadvantaged in
employment terms. We can support Carers with either a phased return to
work or to help build up confidence and skills by including them in one of
our Programmes. We will provide strategies to overcome lack of
confidence, motivation, interpersonal skills, etc. Our staff will provide
close support and work with you to overcome such barriers and make paid
employment more of a reality" for further information, contact:
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