INFORMATION
Carers UK represents the 6.4 million people in the UK who care, unpaid, for an elderly relative, sick partner or disabled friends and family members.
In addition to providing support, advice and information direct to families; and expert research, training and consultancy to providers, central and local government; Carers UK maintains a high policy, media and public affairs profile.
We work in a fast-moving policy environment –in addition to the impact of austerity on public services, Carers UK is preparing for the implementation of NHS restructuring and the Welfare Reform Bill and the forthcoming publication of a White Paper on Social Care and progress report on social care funding reform.
Formation
The origins of Carers UK began in 1965 as a campaign when Mary Webster found she was expected to give up her work to care, unpaid, for both her parents. She found that she quickly became isolated, had no independent income, became exhausted with no information or advice to support her. Her letter to the Times newspaper in 1965 and overwhelming response from hundreds of women in similar situations started a campaign which was then launched in the House of Commons in 1967 and eventually became the organisation that is Carers UK today.
Carers National Association (CNA) was formed in 1988 by the merger of two existing voluntary organisations who between them had over thirty years experience of working with and on behalf of carers - estimated to be 6.4 million in the UK.
Following devolution, the organisation has undergone many changes. Since September 2001, the organisation has been known as Carers UK and Carers Scotland, Carers Wales & Carers Northern Ireland in the relevant countries.
Legal Structure
Carers UK is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. It has been set up in a way that ensures it is carer-led, being managed by an elected body (the Board of Trustees) on which carers must make up a majority. Each member of the Board holds the position of both Charity Trustee and Director of the Company. They work on a voluntary basis and are unpaid. Membership of Carers UK is open to all carers and also to individuals, organisations and groups who support the aims of the organisation.
InternalStructure
Overall governance is carried out by the elected unpaid Board of Trustees. There are subcommittees of the Board in Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
Day to day management responsibilities lie with paid staff, namely the Chief Executive and the Strategic Management Team (SMT). SMT is made up of the Chief Executive, the Directors of Carers Scotland, Carers Wales and Carers Northern Ireland, Director of Finance and HR, Director of Development and Communications and the Director of Policy and Public Affairs.
The organisation’s head office is in London. In addition to this there are offices in Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast and Manchester.
In addition to the 50 paid staff in the various departments and offices, Carers UK also has a network of 50+ branches, which often grow out of existing carers support groups. These do not usually contain paid workers but are given support by the organisation and are fundamental to our ability to spread our work at a grassroots level. Our branches also assist with the campaigning and lobbying work, both by informing this work and by carrying it out at a local level.
We are adapting ourselves to the changing world and while our ultimate goal of recognition and support for carers remains the same, the way we approach it has changed and will continue to do so.
Working at Carers UK
Equal Opportunities
Carers UK strives maintain its positive and inclusive working environment and recognises that many groups and individuals are disadvantaged and discriminated against, both directly and indirectly, in employment, management structures and service delivery. Carers UK is committed to taking positive action to counter discrimination in all areas of its work and to promote policies and initiatives aimed at the active participation of all groups and individuals within Carers UK.
Carers UK opposes discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic origin, social background, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability including sensory impairment, income, childcare and other caring responsibilities, political or trade union affiliation and religious belief.
Hours
A normal full-time working week is 35 hours. However, Carers UK actively pursues a work/life balance for its entire staff. Any member of staff can make a request to work flexibly.
Annual leave
25 days per annum + 3 at Christmas when the offices are closed + Bank Holidays as appropriate to the location of work.
Flexible Working
The staff of Carers UK are recognised as the organisation’s most valuable asset. Many members of staff have responsibility for looking after children and/or have other caring responsibilities. All members of staff have different needs depending upon their own unique circumstances therefore our policies on flexible working go beyond the current statutory minimum and are actively promoted. Carers UK aims to provide opportunities for our staff to achieve a better work-life balance.
Sickness Payments
Carers UK operates an enhanced sick pay scheme that is in excess of the statutory minimum.
Group Personal Pension Scheme
Carers UK operates a Group Personal Pension scheme. The organisational contribution is 5% of basic salary. The employee is not obliged to make a contribution of their own but is able to contribute, through salary exchange, up to the statutory maximum, which is variable depending upon age. The pension includes life assurance. Employees are invited to join the scheme on completion of their probationary period, and if they opt to join the scheme within 4 weeks of completion of the probationary period, will receive organisational contributions backdated to the start of employment.
Private Medical Insurance
Employees are invited to join our Private Medical Insurance scheme, which can start from the first day of employment regardless of the probationary period.
Season Ticket Loans
Through Carers UK’s season ticket loan scheme a cheque is made payable to the employee’s transport provider and is deducted over 12 months of employment
Give As You Earn
Through this scheme, an employee can make a charitable contribution (£10 minimum) through the monthly payroll.
Essential Car User Allowance
For some employees, use of their own car may be seen essential in order to reach places that are not easily reached by public transport services. In this instance, a rate, which is dependent upon engine size, is paid monthly through the payroll.