A carer is defined as someone who provides unpaid support to a family member, partner, or friend who is unable to manage without assistance due to illness, disability, mental health needs, addiction, or age-related frailty. We recognise that a significant number of our workforce have unpaid caring responsibilities. As a Trust, we are committed to supporting colleagues in managing their caring responsibilities alongside their professional roles.

The Carer Passport

The Carer Passport is a tool designed to facilitate a supportive and structured conversation between employees and their line managers. It enables staff to outline their caring responsibilities and explore reasonable workplace adjustments that may assist them in maintaining both their caring role and employment.

The purpose of the Carer Passport is to:

  • Provide a consistent and confidential way for staff to share their caring responsibilities

  • Support the identification of reasonable adjustments, subject to service needs

  • Reduce the need to repeatedly explain personal circumstances when line managers change

  • Act as a living document, to be reviewed and updated as required

The Carer Passport must be completed collaboratively between the employee and their line manager. It is essential that discussions take into account both the needs of the individual and the operational requirements of the service. Examples of possible adjustments include:

  • Flexibility to make or receive essential phone calls during working hours

  • Agreement on a flexible start time to support caring duties (e.g., arrival between 08:00 and 09:00)

  • Flexibility to attend medical or care-related appointments, with time made up at a later point (evidence may be required)

The Carer Passport remains the property of the employee. With the employee’s consent, a copy may be held securely in their personnel file. Should the employee move teams or departments, the existing Carer Passport can be shared to support continuity; however, any adjustments will need to be reviewed in line with the new service’s requirements.

To access the Carer Passport template, including guidance and prompts for discussion, please click here.

Flex your Life at LUHFT is an offer to enhance Flexible Working (or commonly known as Flex) across the trust, helping colleagues to have greater choice in how, where and when they work. We want to create happy and healthy teams who are connected to the work they do, and you’ve told us that having opportunities for flexible working is essential to having a healthy work life balance. 

For more information as a colleague looking to find out more about flexible working, click here.

For more information as a manager with line management responsibilities, click here.

Access to Work is a government scheme that provides financial support to help employees with a disability, long-term health condition or neurodivergence stay in work. It can fund:

  • Specialist equipment or software

  • Travel to and from work

  • Support workers or job coaches

  • Mental health support

  • Other workplace adjustments

 

How to Apply

Staff must apply directly, here.

You’ll need to explain your condition, your role, and the support needed. AtW may arrange an assessment and will confirm what is approved and funded.

 

Key Information

  • New staff (within 6 weeks) – Access to Work funds 100% of costs

  • Existing staff – The Trust may need to contribute

  • Equipment is purchased by the NHS; costs are reimbursed by Access to Work

  • Claims must be made within 9 months

  • Always wait for Access to work approval before buying anything

 

Manager Responsibilities

  • Support the application and discuss reasonable adjustments

  • Help implement approved adjustments

  • Coordinate purchasing and ensure IT compatibility if needed

To find out more about our Staff Networks, click here.