Employment and self-employment

Combining work and a caring role can be a challenge, but the benefits this can bring to your life are many and there are a number of organisations and laws out there to help you.  Consider the increased income, the satisfaction of work, the chance to meet people and make time for yourself.

Careers advice

Adult Learning (Oxfordshire County Council) – for ages 19 or over and they have a range of courses available from learning for leisure to IT and GCSE’s for career focused learning – call 01865 797194

Email newstart.advice@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Next step

Also for ages 19 or over and this is a free national helpline and online service to help you take control and move on in work and life, whether this be starting a new career, CV and interview advice or finding the best course for you.

Call 0800 100 900 or visit their online support at www.direct.gov.uk/nextstep

Young Carers’ Services

For information and support from specialised services for young Carers up to the age of 25 contact 07919 298263

Work experience

This can be a good way to find out a bit more about the environment you would like to work in, decide if it’s right for you and gain valuable experience which you can refer to in job applications, your CV and interviews.  To find out about work experience opportunities in your area contact Jobcentre Plus on 0845 604 3719 and ask for your local job centre.

CV, application & interview training

There are a number of organisations which can help you with this, from recruitment agencies (for a list see the ‘Finding work’ section) to government funded projects.  When you have decided you are ready for a new job or to start paid employment it’s important to get this stage right, it’s your first impression to a business and they are looking for certain things.  You might find that your first application or interview doesn’t necessarily go well, perhaps due to nerves and not being used to this situation, but this is perfectly normal and you are bound to make mistakes.  The important thing is to learn from them and not be discouraged, you have valuable skills to offer and how you get that across will improve.

Organisations which can help are:

Adult Learning (Oxfordshire County Council)

for ages 19 or over
Tel: 01865 492 034
Email newstart.advice@oxfordshire.gov.uk

They can also organise local groups for CV writing and interview skills.

Next Step

again for ages 19 and over
Tel: 0800 100 900 or visit their online support at www.direct.gov.uk/nextstep

Jobcentre Plus

Tel: 0845 604 3719
Ask for your local job centre

Connexions Direct

Supports those aged 13 to 19 and can offer all the information and advice you need to make the decisions and choices in your life. They will also provide advice and support for job applications, CV’s and Interviews.

Call 080 800 13 2 19 or visit their website http://www.connexions-direct.com/

Finding work

As long as you have prepared, understand your skills and know what you’re looking for actually finding work (depending on the industry) should not be as hard as it seems.  Recruitment agencies, Job Centre Plus, Next Step, Adult Learning and the Young Carers’ Service will all be able to assist you.  There are also many job search websites so, if you have access to a computer, try to make use of this valuable resource.

Below is a list of a couple of recruitment agencies with offices in Oxfordshire, but this is by no means an exhaustive list and many industries have specific agencies they use.  If you are unsure which agency to contact, speak to one of the support services listed at the bottom of this page.      

The important thing to remember is to be confident in yourself and your abilities.

Recruitment Agencies in Oxfordshire:

Champion Recruitment

Covering Oxfordshire and in a variety of industries.
Tel: 01865 264050
Web: www.champion.co.uk/

Hays

Have a number of offices around Oxfordshire, to contact the Oxford office call Tel: 01865 250240
Web: http://www.hays.co.uk/

Select Appointments

Have a number of offices throughout Oxfordshire and to find your nearest branch and search for jobs go to http://www.select.co.uk/

Employment and self-employment

Tel: 01865 724439.

Some websites you may wish to try are:

http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk/homepage.aspx?sessionid=f96147bd-72a1-45e3-bced-f8acfac2b020&pid=3

http://www.jobsite.co.uk/

http://www.reed.co.uk/

http://www.charityjob.co.uk/

The Department of Heath also run a website to give you advice and help with job searches if you want to work in social care:http://www.socialcarecareers.co.uk/

Support Services

Next Step

For ages 19 or over and this is a free national helpline and online service to help you take control and move on in work and life, they can assist you with job searches as part of their service – call 0800 100 900  or visit their online support at https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/gettingajob/findingajob/Pages/default.aspx

Adult Learning (Oxfordshire County Council)

For ages 19 or over and they have a range of support available – call 01865 492 034 or e-mail newstart.advice@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Jobcentre Plus

For help in finding work call 0845 6060 234 or visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseekers/LookingForWork/index.htm

Directgov

Carers and Employment website also has a wealth of information, visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/CarersAndEmployment/index.htm

Your rights

When you are looking for employment and in employment you do have certain rights.  Below are some examples of the acts which may affect you and be the most helpful.

The Equality Act 2010

All equality legislation has been brought together into one Act and so this change brings some welcome harmonisation. However new law has also being introduced via this Act, including something particularly welcomed by working Carers, associative discrimination. Within this Act it accommodates the concept that associative discrimination is unlawful. So for example discrimination against an individual because they care for a disabled relative or child will be unlawful.

The Employment Rights Act 1996

Carers have rights in certain circumstances to take (unpaid) time off work to care for dependents.

Maternity and Parental Leave etc. Regulations 1999

Introduced parental leave. Parents of disabled children can take 18 weeks unpaid leave (usually limited to 4 weeks in any year) up to the child’s 18th birthday.

The Work and Families Act 2006

In addition to parents of children under 6 and of disabled children under 18, Carers of adults who have more than 26 weeks service with their employer, now also have the right to request flexible working arrangements.

Good practice employers

If you are looking for employment and want to feel comfortable that your caring responsibilities will be understood and taken seriously then look out for the ‘Employers Supporting Working Carers’ symbol.  Employers who display this logo have confirmed their commitment to supporting any Carer who works for them. For an up to date list of employers signed up to the scheme and for more information go to www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/supportingworkingCarers

Self-employment

If you are thinking about becoming self-employed this can create its own set of challenges but it can also be very rewarding.  If the business you want to start involves working from home you may be able to manage your caring responsibilities more closely by still being on hand in an emergency.

To make a start please contact Business Link South East for more help and advice on 0845 600 9 006 or if you have access to the internet go to http://www.startupanswers.co.uk/selfemployedppc?gclid=CKSN4bz93KUCFc0f4Qodlgnpzwto see a brief overview of what is involved.  You may also find that there are free courses to attend, so you can decide if it’s for you.

Emergency Carer support and replacement care

For specific replacement care or emergency care services please see Emergency Back up Factsheet.

It is important to check if any of the above will affect your benefits. As every circumstance is different it is always advisable to check before you move forward.  Contact an Advice Centre such as Citizens Advice Bureau or Jobcentre Plus

Please note: The organisations listed on this page are not endorsed or recommended by Oxfordshire County Council and the contact details are provided for information only.

Please feel free to contact any of the organisations on this fact sheet yourself. If required, Carers Oxfordshire can also help you further. You can contact them on 0845 050 7666, Monday to Thursday 08:30-17:00, Friday 08:30-16:00