Fife Voluntary Action Recognised as Carer Positive Employer

Fife Voluntary Action (FVA) has been awarded Carer Positive Engaged accreditation by Carers UK, recognising our commitment to supporting employees who balance work with unpaid caring responsibilities.

The accreditation recognises employers in Scotland that create supportive workplaces where carers are valued and given the flexibility and understanding they need to balance their working and caring lives.

Following a review of FVA’s application, the Carer Positive panel highlighted the organisation’s strong commitment to supporting working carers, reflected in both our workplace culture and day-to-day practices.

The panel particularly recognised FVA’s flexible and responsive approach to supporting working carers, as well as the opportunities available for employees to identify their caring responsibilities through recruitment and support and supervision processes.

There is also a wide range of practical support available to FVA staff, including counselling, Carer Connect events, Time to Live funding and signposting to local carers’ services.

Regular communication and awareness raising also help keep caring responsibilities on the agenda, with information shared through staff meetings and Teams channels.

Importantly, the accreditation panel also heard directly from a member of staff with caring responsibilities, whose positive testimonial demonstrated the difference that this support can make in practice.

Supporting our staff to balance work and caring

Unpaid carers play a vital role in communities across Fife and beyond. Many people combine caring with employment, and without the right support, balancing the two can become increasingly difficult.

At FVA, we want our staff to feel able to talk about their caring responsibilities and know that they will be listened to and supported.

Our Carer Positive accreditation reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where people can have those conversations and access practical support when they need it.

The accreditation also recognises the benefits of supporting and retaining experienced staff, helping to reduce avoidable absence and recruitment costs while creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace.

Building on our commitment

The Carer Positive panel described FVA’s application as a “strong submission” and highlighted a number of opportunities to build on the good practice already in place.

These include exploring a voluntary carers' register, developing specific guidance or training for managers, and regularly gathering feedback from staff with caring responsibilities to understand the impact of the support available.

We’re looking forward to continuing this work and building on what we already offer our staff.

We’re proud to be recognised as a Carer Positive Engaged employer and to demonstrate our commitment to supporting colleagues who are balancing work with unpaid caring responsibilities.

What is Carer Positive?

Carer Positive aims to encourage employers to create supportive working environments for carers.

A carer is someone who provides unpaid care by looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend or partner.

The Carer Positive award is presented to employers in Scotland that recognise the importance of supporting carers in the workplace and helping them to balance their employment with their caring responsibilities.

Find out more about Carer Positive

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