Carers who want to return to work

Has your caring role ended/or changed?

Are you thinking about returning to work?

First steps

If you are thinking about returning to work, but are not sure what you would like to do, start by recognising the skills and interests you have.

Think about what you have learned from:

• any paid work that you have done
• tasks and responsibilities involved in your role as a Carer, a parent and running a home
• any other activities that you do, for example, voluntary work, committees

Then identify your interests; think about:

• what you enjoy doing
• how you would like to use your skills
• things you miss doing that you once did e.g. previous work.

Talk to family or friends, bounce ideas off them, make a list – add to it as and when you think of things.  Maybe also list what you don’t like doing.

Make a plan

Think about short (maybe over the next six months) and long term goals (12 – 18 months or even longer) and make a plan of what you would like to do. Make sure the plan is achievable - include small steps as well as your long term goals. 

Once you know what you want to do, you can look for the right kind of support to help you.  If you are still unsure about what you want to do or even what you can do, then the following may help to trigger some ideas.

Part-time work - This is a good way to fit work around your other responsibilities or commitments. If your part-time work is less than 16 hours a week, you may still be able to get some benefits.

Job-sharing - Sometimes two people can share a full-time job. Look out for jobs advertised as job share.

Flexible working - Sometimes two people can share a full-time job. Look out for jobs advertised as job share.

Self-employment - Working for yourself offers flexibility and the right type of challenge for some people, but you will take on extra responsibility (for example, paying your own income tax).

Agency work - You could work in a job for a set length of time (usually for the length of a project or to fill in for a permanent member of staff).

Paid Work in the Voluntary Sector - There are many voluntary organisations that employ people which may be of interest.

Term-time working - Being off during the school holidays could be ideal if you have children and they are at school.

Holiday working - A practical option if you're still studying.

Voluntary Work - Have you thought of doing any voluntary work? This might help you get back into the swing of a job and can help you decide what you might like to do and for how many hours per day/week. Charities and voluntary organisations are always looking for volunteers. 

Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS)  Offer information on a wide range of voluntary opportunities throughout Carmarthenshire. People volunteer for many different reasons:

• new people
• Gain work experience
• Learn new skills
• Help other people in the community
• Gain access to training or to "just get out of the house”
• Put something back into society

Having experience of caring for someone gives you valuable transferable skills, which you may want to put to use to support others.

You may want to go into Social Care and have a new career using those valuable skills.  There is a wide choice of careers within the Health and Social Care Sector.  You may prefer to work within a team structure with employers such as a Social Services Department or an independent care provider or on a one-to-one basis with people who need help and receive funding via the direct payments system.  You may feel happier working with someone needing hands-on help or you may wish to lead on a particular project or become a social worker.  Job Centre Plus offer pre-employment training for their clients to support your return to work in the care sector.

Social Services

If you want to combine work and caring, you may want to ask your Social Care Services Department for a Carers Assessment.  A carer’s assessment is an opportunity for you to talk about your needs, what is important to you and the support us or other agencies may be able give you. 

Listed below are the many organisations that can provide support to help you return to work.