The University recognises carers may have significant caring responsibilities which have a substantial impact on their working life. You may be responsible for the care and support of a disabled, elderly or sick partner, relative or friend who is unable to care for themselves. 

Your caring responsibilities may include but not be limited to: 

• helping someone with personal care;
• helping someone with mobility;
• managing someone’s medication;
• practical household tasks;
• providing emotional support to someone; or
• helping someone with financial matters or paperwork. 

There is a wide range of caring responsibilities. This guidance aims to cover short-term caring as well as long-term arrangements.

As a working carer you are likely to need a range of support at different times, from access to a telephone to check on the person you care for, to leave arrangements to accommodate hospital appointments or a hospital discharge. Telling work you are a carer is not always an easy step and it is up to you whether you tell your manager about your caring responsibilities or not.

Telling other colleagues can also help and it may help simply to discuss your situation with someone you can trust at work. You may find that colleagues also have caring responsibilities, and that together you are more able to talk to your manager about how you can be supported.

As your employer we would encourage you to declare your caring responsibilities as this will help us to provide appropriate support for you.

We would strongly encourage you to update your equality monitoring information by clicking on 'Sensitive Information (Diversity and Inclusion)' in iTrent self-service. This helps us to develop a clearer picture of how many staff have caring responsibilities.

If you do not want to disclose your caring responsibilities to your line manager you may wish to approach your HR Business Partner, via P&C Key Contacts on the Staff Intranet or your Trade Union representative for advice.

There is a wide range of support available for carers through external organisations. Unfortunately, it is often the case that no-one tells you what assistance and financial support you may be entitled to. We have tried to assist our carers at Queen’s by pulling together relevant links/information below. If you find any links are not working please email eqdiv@qub.ac.uk with the details.

Carer Coordinators

Each health trust area has a Carers Coordinator who is a point of contact for family carers. They can tell you about local carer support including:

• Information
• Breaks from caring
• Carer training
• Carer's assessments
• Putting you in touch with health trust services and other support organisations

They can also inform you of events and carer support groups in your area, benefits advice, potential grants and much more to help you maintain your health and wellbeing in your caring role.

Carer Coordinators by Area

Financial Matters

Looking after a member of your family who has a disability or illness can be a massive commitment and impact on you financially. Fortunately there’s financial support available and support services to help share the load. Some useful links can be found below.

• Carers Benefits Calculator
• Employers for Childcare Family Benefits Advice
• Guide to Financial support for people with disabilities
• Support Available when Caring for Someone
• Carers Allowance
• Caring for someone while working
• Self-Directed Support
• Blue Badge Scheme

Free/Discounted Entry for Carers

A number of attractions around Northern Ireland give free entry or discount to carers. If you are aware of any others please email details to eqdiv@qub.ac.uk so we can update the list.

Useful Support Organisations

• Carers NI – Guide to looking after someone
• Age UK
• Autism NI
• Macmillan
• Cause

At Queen’s we care about the physical health, mental health and wellbeing of our staff. If you have line management responsibilities, please visit our Guidance for Line Managers webpage.

Caring for a loved one can have emotional highs and lows. These feelings are normal and a natural part of adapting to your change in circumstances.

Inspire wellbeing provide staff with a free, independent, confidential and professional counselling service. 

They have a sensitive and practical approach to the difficulties experienced by staff with caring responsibilities. This can be delivered by telephone and/or face to face.

Carers often report becoming isolated as a result of their caring responsibilities.

The University has a Staff Carers Network which provides working carers with the opportunity to come together, share experiences, discuss issues, ask questions and arrange informal meet ups.

To join the network email Sally Lynn at s.lynn@qub.ac.uk.

The University is committed to supporting staff health and wellbeing. We arrange monthly health and wellbeing events many of which are relevant for staff with caring responsibilities for example mental health awareness, sleep advice, cancer awareness, relaxation. 

At Queen’s Sport staff can avail of reduced membership rates.

We also offer reduced price massages on campus from Nightingale Holistic Therapies. Full details are available on the Staff Wellbeing Website.