Employers: Caring Companies
Good businesses need good people and there has never been a better time to focus on the benefits of retaining skilled workers. By supporting your employees to work healthily and productively whilst caring you can reduce the costs of recruiting and training new staff.
Here in Suffolk we recognise the vital role that unpaid family carers play in our communities and in our workforce, but did you know…
Introducing the Caring Companies Programme
As part of its ongoing commitment to improving support for unpaid family carers, Suffolk County Council developed the Suffolk All Age Carers’ Strategy 2022–2027. This strategy sets out clear objectives to make Suffolk a more carer-friendly county, with one of its key goals being the recruitment, retention, and wellbeing of family carers in the workforce.
Suffolk Family Carers is proud to be part of the Caring Companies Programme, delivered in partnership with Suffolk County Council.
What is the Caring Companies Programme?
Caring Companies is an exciting initiative from Suffolk County Council, delivered in partnership with Suffolk Family Carers. It is a three-tier recognition scheme designed to celebrate and support organisations that champion unpaid carers within their workforce.
Participating organisations can achieve Bronze, Silver, or Gold status. Organisations typically begin at Bronze and progress to higher levels by embedding stronger policies and support for unpaid family carers in the workplace. Each level recognises the organisation’s commitment and progress.
Full details can be found on the Suffolk County Council website.
The Benefits of Joining the Caring Companies Programme
Family carers bring a wealth of skills, resilience, and commitment to the workplace. Employed family carers are typically loyal and dedicated to companies that support them, and they bring a wealth of transferable skills from their caring role.
Supporting them helps to:
- Retain skilled staff and reduce recruitment and induction costs
- Attract a wider talent pool, including individuals with valuable lived experience
- Create a more inclusive and compassionate workplace culture
- Boost productivity and morale by supporting employees’ work-life balance and improving wellbeing
Ready to become a Caring Company?
Join us in building a Suffolk where unpaid family carers are recognised, respected, and supported in the workplace. Whether your company is aiming for Bronze or striving for Gold, Suffolk Family Carers is here to support your organisation every step of the way.
Upcoming Information Sessions
Want to know more? Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Family Carers host regular, essential sessions for employers and service providers.
These sessions cover:
- Strategies for retaining unpaid family carers in the workforce
- Best practices for recruiting family carers
- How to enhance the workplace experience for unpaid carers
- Recognising and valuing the unique contributions of family carers
Events
List of events in Photo View
Caring Company News
Orwell Housing Becomes a Caring Company with BRONZE
We are pleased to announce that Orwell Housing has been awarded Bronze status as part of the Caring Company Award Programme. This initiative, launched by Suffolk Family Carers in partnership with Suffolk County Council, recognises organisations across Suffolk that actively support employees with caring responsibilities. The programme offers Bronze, Silver
Caring Company Award Programme
Suffolk Family Carers, in partnership with Suffolk County Council, has proudly launched the Caring Company Award Programme across our county, offering Bronze. Silver and Gold status. Why? Because currently, 41% of unpaid carers leave their job to fulfil their caring role, often unaware of their rights and access to vital
Launch of Caring Company Programme
Suffolk Family Carers is excited and proud to announce a new employer support programme in partnership with Suffolk Council County. The Caring Company Programme provides businesses the opportunity to celebrate their commitment to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for family carers in the workplace. The options to reach bronze,
