Carers' information
Welcome to the Carers' Information area, which has been developed for you, the Carer to access information and services. Every Carer's role is unique and will require different levels and types of support. Your needs for information and support will probably change over time.
What is a Carer?
A carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a partner, child, elderly person, relative, friend or neighbour, who could not manage without their help. This could be due to age, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability. You may have returned to work from maternity or adoption leave and are now trying to juggle your work commitments and home responsibilities.
How can College help?
College can offer practical help by informing you of the key policies and support available to Carers.
The College uses an independent, free and completely confidential service called Confidential Care, which can asist you with the day-to-day issues you face and help you to gain a healthy balance between your work and home life.
The College's Equality and Diversity Unit offer support, guidance and advice on all equality strands.
Carers Information
Key College Policies
The following policies are particularly relevant to carers:
- Flexible Working Policy
- Special Leave Policy
- Family Leave Policies
- Elsie Widdowson Fellowship Award (for academic staff returning from Maternity Leave)
For specific advice on any of the policies mentioned above, please contact the HR Staff Hub.
College Resources
The following College resources may offer support, where relevant:
- Early Years Education Centre
- Tax-Free Childcare (Government Scheme)
- Advice and Counselling for Staff - link to Occupational Health
- Pre-bookable room at South Kensington campus, allowing nursing mothers to express milk - contact occhealth@imperial.ac.uk
- Stress management course - link to Organisational & Staff Development
- Ethos Therapies - link to Sport Imperial, therapies include life coaching & stress management
External Organisations
There are numerous external organisations offering advice and support to Carers, a few of which are mentioned below. You may also wish to explore further services, which may be offered in the locality of where you live.
- Carers UK
- The Princess Royal Trust for Carers
- Age UK
- NHS Choices - Carers online learning programme
- DirectGov - for claiming Carers Allowances
- Carers Federation - supports carers and the people for whom they care
- Care Quality Commission - independent regulator or health and social care in England
- Counsel and Care - working with older people, their families and carers to provide care and support
- Crossroads - charity providing support for carers
- Elderly Accommodation Counsel - for first stop care advice
- This is Money - a guide to paying for care
- Working Families helping parents and carers achieve a work life balance