West Lothian Council has achieved Carer Positive Accreditation

Carer Positive employers recognise the importance of retaining experienced members of staff, reducing absence, and cutting down on avoidable recruitment costs. Almost 500 people every day take on a caring responsibility.

• It is estimated that there are 759,000 unpaid carers in Scotland, with 3 in 5 people expected to care for someone at one point in their lives.
• There are around 270,000 people in Scotland who juggle caring with holding down a job.
• Almost 500 people every day take on a caring responsibility.

A carer is someone who provides unpaid care by looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend or partner. Unfortunately, many carers give up work because the job of juggling their work and caring responsibilities simply becomes too much. Supporting carers to manage the sometimes-difficult job of balancing work with caring responsibilities can deliver real benefits to employers as well as helping individuals and their families.

Interim Head of Corporate Services, Lesley Henderson said:

"We are delighted to formally receive our Carer Positive Accreditation during Carers Week.

"This accreditation demonstrates West Lothian Council's on-going commitment to creating a working environment for carers where they feel valued and supported.

"We recognise that carers represent a significant part of the working population and can face many challenges juggling care and work responsibilities. We want to attract and retain the valuable skills and experience that many carers can bring to the workplace and will continue to work with partners such as Carer Positive and Carers of West Lothian to inform our workplace policies and practices."

Sue McLintock, Carer Positive Awards Manager, Carers Scotland, added:

We are really pleased to recognise West Lothian Council as a Carer Positive Employer, especially during Carers Week! The award helps send a positive message to all staff that the Council truly values the many carers working across its teams and departments, and that it has the right type of support in place to enable carers to effectively balance employment with caring responsibilities in their home lives.  We are delighted that they join the growing number of Carer Positive organisations across Scotland.

Carer Positive aims to encourage employers to create a supportive working environment for carers in the workplace.The award incorporates 3 levels or stages, from 'engaged' to 'established' through to 'exemplary'. This will enable employers to progress from one stage to the next, building from an initial level of commitment to embedding a culture of support for carers within the organisation.