Guidance published by the Government Equalities Office (GEO) states that there are currently 2.1 million people out of work due to caring responsibilities in the UK, 89% of them women. The Returners Fund grant initiative was launched by the GEO in 2018 providing financial support to organisations delivering innovative approaches towards working with ‘Returners’ and supporting them back into the workplace. A Greater Manchester Working Carer Toolkit written by Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership quotes a figure of 280,000+ carers in Greater Manchester; 142,000 of whom are currently working (ONS Census, 2011).
Caring, Working, Living (CWL), led by Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation (GMCVO), in partnership with Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) is one such project funded by the GEO designed to make the workplace more accessible to Returners. The project works in collaboration with local employers, Employment Support Organisations (ESOs) and Returners from across Greater Manchester.
Purpose of this report
1. To evidence and highlight the value parents and carers bring to the workforce
2. To identify and provide evidence for the benefits for existing job boards to extend their remit by developing their resources to be more inclusive and better tailored to Returners
3. To identify and evidence the need for a ‘flexible’ jobs board in Greater Manchester.
