A culture of care: how to support carers at work

3 mins read

Sunday 15 June 2025

Parents caring for children with additional needs can bring incredible strengths to the workplace. Adaptability, crisis management, and loyalty, to name a few!

To celebrate Carers Week, we’re sharing simple yet meaningful ways organisations can help carers thrive at work.

Watch Ellie Goff, Business Development Manager at Contact, as she talks to Charlie Beswick, founder of Our Altered Life. Together, they share practical tips and insights that can make a genuine difference.


It’s not just the right thing to do for the wellbeing of carers. By creating a supportive environment, organisations can retain skilled employees, boost morale, prevent burnout, and cut costs!

Ellie and Charlie’s top tips for organisations

1. Normalise disclosure without pressure

Opening up about caring responsibilities needs to feel both safe and optional. Many carers worry about disclosing because they fear judgement and that colleagues may question their ability to do their job effectively.

Managers can foster trust by letting people know there are benefits to disclosing. They can also ask simple, empathetic questions such as, “Do you have any caring responsibilities we should know about to better support you?”.

2. Be flexible

Flexible working hours can be vital for many carers, although some might only need minor adjustments, like arriving slightly later. It’s important to tailor solutions to their specific needs.

3. Set up a peer support group

Establishing affinity groups for carers within an organisation can provide a lifeline for employees. Ellie set up a Carers Affinity Group at Contact to create a safe space for employees to connect, share experiences, and feel understood.

4. Encourage carers in leadership roles to speak out

Leaders and senior colleagues who are open about their caregiving responsibilities send a powerful message. It demonstrates that carers can thrive in leadership roles and validates others’ experiences.

5. Communicate support clearly

Make sure employees are aware of their options by drafting clear, accessible policies. Caregivers need to understand not only what is available to them, but also how to access resources and who to speak to in times of need.

6. Provide training for managers

Empower line managers with the tools to have sensitive discussions. They won’t ever be able to fix the challenges of caring for a child, but they can focus on listening and responding compassionately. Provide clear guidelines for managers on flexible working arrangements, special leave, or other accommodations.

7. Build a culture of compassion

Small moments of kindness go a long way. Carers don’t want pity, and they know their problems can’t be solved by a line manager. But having someone say, “I don’t know what you’re going through, but how can I help?” is really powerful.

Ready to take the next step?

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your carer-friendly culture, Contact and Charlie can help you with:

  • Training and awareness for managers and teams
  • Support with inclusive policies and networks
  • Expert guidance from professionals with lived experience
  • Workshops and Webinars on topics tailored to support the parent carers in your workforce 
  • Guest speakers

Get in touch with Ellie from Contact or reach out to Charlie on LinkedIn.