Lead Organisation: Stand North Wales
Between the 15th of February 2022 and the 6th of March 2022, STAND North Wales ran a survey called ‘The Impact of Employment Against Caring Responsibilities’. Parents, carers, and professionals supported by STAND North Wales CIC were asked to complete the survey to better understand the impact of caring responsibilities on employment across North Wales, and to determine the suitability of provisions currently accessed by parents, carers and professionals that the organisation supports.
They collected 125 responses from a mix of parents and carers. The survey was anonymous to allow individuals an opportunity to be honest with their answers. The responses collected in the survey are close to representative of the population STAND North Wales CIC supports.
Participants were asked a series of questions about their caring roles and responsibilities, their current employment, training or study and the services they access.
From the responses that were collected, the evaluation concluded that there seems to be a lack of knowledge across North Wales with regards to what services are available to carers. It also concluded that there was a shortage of services either offering respite care, or childcare, for children, young people and adults with additional needs and disabilities. This lack of knowledge and accessibility is directly impacting employment opportunities available to individuals with caring responsibilities, with more than half of survey participants indicating they have reduced their working hours to accommodate their caring responsibilities.
After the survey was completed and responses evaluated STAND North Wales created a series of recommendations to local authorities, Welsh Government, service providers, childcare providers, and employers to help carers in the future.
For the latest news and information visit the STAND website.