{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/63f73c72397aea0011b6c514/6a2a7b41438158000bcc1ff5?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Carers Week Special (Part 2): Supporting employees caring for neurodivergent children, with Zahra Lakhan-Bunbury, Sheena Goodey and Charlotte Reid","description":"<p>Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.</p><p><strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong></p><p><em>Content warning: The following content is about real experiences of caring and the pressures that can come with navigating systems around support for children, which some people might find distressing.</em></p><p><br></p><p>To mark Carers Week - and this year's theme of building carer-friendly communities - we are devoting a two-part conversation to colleagues who are balancing their work with caring for their neurodivergent children, and how employers can implement effective support at work.</p><p><br></p><p>In part two, we explore what good employer support looks like in practice and the legal considerations that organisations should have on their radar.</p><p><br></p><p>Host <a href=\"https://www.rpclegal.com/people/ellie-gelder/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Ellie Gelder</a> is joined by <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahrahimani/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Zahra Lakhan-Bunbury</a>, Account Manager at <a href=\"https://www.employersforcarers.org/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Employers for Carers</a>, (the workplace arm of <a href=\"https://www.carersuk.org/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Carers UK</a>), <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheenamoodie/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Sheena Goodey</a>, Central Services Manager at <a href=\"https://www.carersfirst.org.uk/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Carers First</a>, and <a href=\"https://www.rpclegal.com/people/charlotte-reid/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Charlotte Reid</a>, Senior Associate in RPC's Employment, Engagement &amp; Equality team.</p><p><br></p><p>Together, they discuss:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>the findings of the recently published <a href=\"https://www.carersuk.org/reports/the-tipping-point-when-unpaid-carers-can-no-longer-combine-work-and-care/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Tipping Point report</a> and why unpaid carers leave work;</li><li>the existing statutory entitlement to time off for parent carers, including statutory carers leave and the \"patchwork\" of other leave options;</li><li>what effective employer support looks like beyond the minimum;</li><li>the importance of visibility, disclosure – including carer passports - and peer networks; and</li><li>practical actions for employers, for example paid carers leave where possible, manager upskilling, leadership role-modelling, and tracking take-up and data.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Please note:</strong> This episode was recorded before the government launched its <a href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a27bc0956e988a798b38807/consultation-on-employment-rights-for-unpaid-carers-and-parents-of-seriously-ill-children.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">consultation</a> on employment rights for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children. Employers, stakeholders and carers are encouraged to provide feedback and can respond to the consultation <a href=\"https://ditresearch.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3rwllMYn7jI2Tlk\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Listen to Part 1: Unseen realities of working and caring for neurodivergent children, with Caroline Withers, Michaela Gibson and Rachel Pears <a href=\"https://www.rpclegal.com/thinking/employment/the-work-couch-carers-week-special-part-1-2026/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.</p><p><br></p><p><em>* Please note these podcasts will not run on Internet Explorer</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please subscribe to be notified when new episodes release. You can subscribe on <a href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-work-couch/id1675894326\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Apple Podcasts</a> and <a href=\"https://open.spotify.com/show/7t1QwfeSobLRUTKy6fvhar\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Spotify</a> to stay up to date with the latest episodes.</p><p><br></p><p>All information is correct at the time of recording. The Work Couch is not a substitute for legal advice.</p><p><br></p><p>To access further support, you may wish to visit: <a href=\"https://www.carersuk.org/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Carers UK</a>, <a href=\"https://www.carersfirst.org.uk/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Carers First</a>, <a href=\"https://supportsendkids.org/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Support SEND kids</a> and for those of you working in the insurance sector, please visit <a href=\"https://insurancefamilies.org/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Insurance Families Network</a>.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>References</strong></p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p><br></p><ol><li>Carers Week report: <a href=\"https://www.carersweek.org/media/waii2awm/carers-week-report-2026-080626.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Building Carer Friendly Communities</a> (June 2026)</li><li>Government consultation: <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/make-work-pay-employment-rights-for-unpaid-carers-and-parents-of-seriously-ill-children\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Make Work Pay: Employment rights for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children</a> (Open until 1 September 2026)</li><li>Research by Sense: <a href=\"https://www.sense.org.uk/press-releases/send/nearly-half-of-all-parents-fear-educational-support-will-be-taken-away-from-their-disabled-children/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Nearly half of all parents fear educational support will be taken away from their disabled children</a><strong> </strong>(January 2026)</li><li>Report by Department for Work &amp; Pensions: <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/the-cost-of-working-age-ill-health-and-disability-that-prevents-work/the-cost-of-working-age-ill-health-and-disability-that-prevents-work\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The cost of working age ill-health and disability that prevents work</a> (March 2025)</li></ol><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>","author_name":"RPC"}