Preparing for a fresh start
It’s nearly September which is often a time for getting back into routines and for carers, it might feel like another change. You may be getting the children ready for going back to school, returning to work after some time away or increasing your hours or looking for a new role.
The aim of this blog is to help you through that.
Preparing for the return to school
For young carers, going back to school in September can be a big adjustment because it can include juggling schoolwork, friendships and routines alongside caring responsibilities at home.
During the last week or two of the holidays, getting your sleep pattern closer to the school routine, checking your timetable and organising your bag, uniform and equipment can make the first morning less overwhelming.
When you get to school, if you haven’t already, tell someone at school about your caring role – that could be your form tutor for example. Having one trusted member of staff who understands your situation can make it easier to get help when you need it.
At North Tyneside Carers’ Centre, we are dedicated to helping schools recognise and support young carers. Through our Young Carers in Schools Programme, we provide guidance, support, and interventions to help create a carer-friendly environment where the impacts of caring are understood, recognised, and responded to by all professionals. Find out more here.
Balancing work and caring
For adult carers who are working, it is worth speaking to your employer about the support available to you. Depending on your circumstances, this could include flexible working arrangements, changes to your hours or working pattern, or leave to help you manage caring responsibilities.
Sometimes, even relatively small changes can make work and caring easier to balance.
It can also help to make sure you understand your rights at work and what support you may be entitled to. If you would like to know more, Carers UK have some helpful information on their website.
If you are thinking about returning to work, you might be excited but you also may also have questions or worries. How will work fit around your caring role? What kind of hours could you manage? How do you explain a gap in your CV? Where do you even begin if you haven’t applied for a job in years?
Just remember, your caring experience has given you valuable skills that employers are looking for, from organisation and problem-solving to communication, resilience and managing competing priorities.
Starting small can help. You could update your CV, explore flexible or part-time vacancies, look into training opportunities, or simply have a conversation with someone about the options available to you.
At North Tyneside Carers’ Centre we can help you explore the support available to you, understand your options and find practical ways to make caring fit alongside the other parts of your life.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before getting in touch. Sometimes, a conversation is the best place to start.
0191 2496480