1. The Quality Standard in Carer Support
Accreditation for Employers and Further Education Providers
Carers Federation
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2. How Carers enhance the Workforce
There are 213,000 people in England and Wales juggling full-time work with providing 50 hours a week of unpaid care
Organisation Skills
Experience of attending meetings and working with services/professionals
Management of finances
Patience and the ability to work under pressure
Empathy and understanding
Reliability
Resourcefulness and initiative
Self Learning and management
Independence
Personal qualities and experiences
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3. The Development of the QSCS
Collate key findings to distribute to stakeholders
Development of an advisory network for employers/colleges and universities
Establishment of a steering group
Consultation with carers to consolidate barriers and most significant issues
Development of the 8 point standard , materials / training and support packages
Creation over a 3 year period of the Quality Standard in Carer Support (QSCS)
Start of two pilot programmes
East Midlands Launch

4. Consultations – Key Findings
Carer Involvement
Consultations – Key Findings
Lack of clarity in ‘carer’ definition and needs – unhelpful stereotypes / stigma
Fear of identification in the work place / college
Small changes can have big outcomes
Carers leaving employment / education during crisis periods
Lack of communication
Lack of policy and consistency across organisations
Need for greater flexibility with particular reference to crisis periods
Need for better
communication and greater understanding of carers’ needs
Need to review and develop policies
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5. Accreditation benefits for organisations
Improved productivity / retention /performance and achievement
Improved attendance / reduced sick leave
Improved staff/student morale and motivation
Contributes to an ethos of inclusion and equality of opportunity
Demonstrates Social Responsibility and a commitment to staff and students
Increased communication and ability to evidence a culture of understanding

6. 234 carers identified and supported since 2012/13
Gained the QSCS in 2013
Nominated for the 2014 TES FE Awards under the Student Support category
234 carers identified and supported since 2012/13
Current retention of carers at 95% 2014/15
Created a team of trained Peer Mentors who have experience of caring themselves
Support staff have received carer specific training
Closed social network being developed
Increased awareness of carers issues across the college among staff and students
Networking opportunities as a result of gaining the standard raising the profile of carers and the support available in college – directly responding to what carers want.
“Young adult carers are a particularly vulnerable group of people who, through no fault of their own, are at risk of not achieving or succeeding in education. By working collaboratively with the Carers Federation, we can tailor support for individuals to help them achieve their goals and realise their dreams. The new Quality Standard for Education will help raise the profile of young carers (and the dilemmas faced by them) and remove the stigma that can be associated with being a carer.” Vicki Stockdale, Behaviour and Support Manager

7. Working towards QSCS since 2013 Disabled employees and carers forum
Executive Management Team Champion
QSCS work provides a focus for the forum in a similar way to the Stonewall
Workplace Index
QSCS focussed meeting helped the group achieve a larger attendance
“”I am delighted to be involved in the Carers Federation Quality Standard because it doesn’t just support the carers in our workforce; it will help us demonstrate our overall commitment to staff and promote flexible working.” Vincent Bryce, Equality and Diversity Manager

8. Identification of student carers pre-enrolment
Student bursary system adapted to ensure it is more accessible to carers
Increased understanding of the complexities that affect students with caring roles
Key staff members across the university brought together to create a core working group
Key employees trained to advise staff as to how best to support carers
Development of carers pages on website information
Served as a platform to improve current systems around attendance
Internal training packages developed giving longevity to the University’s capacity to support student carers
“This training more than met my expectations. It can be difficult to justify time out of the office , but this was really worthwhile and I’m so glad I made time”
“The content was pitched at the right level for us as we are just starting the process, it was thought-provoking and left me feeling enthused”

9. Key Achievement Points
QSCS
Employment
Designated Member of Staff
Staff Induction
Staff Training
Carers Policy
Flexible Working Guidelines
Information and Signposting
Carers Group
Networking/Good Practice
Education
Student Induction
Crisis Support/Referral
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10. Feedback on the Standard
“I am delighted to be involved in the Carers Federation Quality Standard because it doesn’t just support the carers in our workforce; it will help us demonstrate our overall commitment to staff and promote flexible working.”
Vincent Bryce, Equality and Diversity Manager at Nottingham City Homes.
“Young adult carers are a particularly vulnerable group of people who, though no fault of their own, are at risk of not achieving or succeeding in education. By working collaboratively with the Carers Federation, we can tailor support for individuals to help them achieve their goals and realise their dreams. The new Quality Standard for Education will help raise the profile of young carers (and the dilemmas faced by them) and remove the stigma that can be associated with being a carer.”
Vicki Stockdale, Behaviour and Support Manager at Central College, Nottingham.

11. Institute of Learning and Work Pilot
August February Quality Standard in Carer Support Pilot Project
Learning and Work Institute (L&W) and the Carers Federation are being supported by the Department for Education to offer free and tailored consultancy advice to colleges who wish to improve their support for young adult carers.
Delivery of the Quality Standard will provide targeted and intensive one to one support for up to 10 colleges throughout England to enable them to develop an effective and embedded whole system approach to supporting young adult carers.
This work will enable to assess the broad outcomes of successful QSCS accreditation and to be evidenced through an Impact Report.

12. QSCS Development QSCS Long term changes for carers nationally
Better quality of life and improved outcomes for carers
Potential reduction in NEET
Long term changes for carers nationally
Carers Centres deliver the QSCS
Empowerment
QSCS
Influence employers and education providers locally
Carers Federation to empower local carers/ services nationally who have expertise in the locality
Accreditation
Publicity
Raise profile of carers
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