Help for carers who work or study

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Study

At times, you may feel your world revolves around caring for someone else. Having an activity, like learning, outside your caring role can give you a sense of identity and boost your confidence. Studying could mean doing a free online course, evening classes or a degree.

If you’d like to take up learning again but don’t know where to start, ask yourself:

• Do you want to develop an existing interest or learn a new one?
• Do you want to go to an adult education centre, college or university, or would you rather study by distance learning or e-learning?
• How much time do you want to spend learning?
• What are the financial implications?

My World of Work has information on training and studying, including a finding courses tool

Carers Trust Scotland run the Going Higher and Further For Student Carers Recognition Awards to encourage Higher and Further education institutes to support student carers.

Money and study

If you decide to study, this could affect your entitlement to benefits – from the GOV.UK site – so seek advice from Jobcentre Plus

Carers who work or study can claim Carer’s Allowance or Young Carer Grant if they’re eligible

There may be employability support or grants available to carers, which local carers’ centres should be able to advise on, to help with retraining or learning new skills.

Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) are grants up to £200 towards the costs of learning or training. They are for people aged 16 or over, who’ll benefit most from this support.

Learn more about your eligibility for ITAs from My World of Work

When young carers go to college or university, they may be eligible for a student bursary, loan or discretionary funds.

The Student Awards Agency Scotland has information on living cost grants, which are available to certain categories of students, like lone parents and those with dependents (including those who care for others).

For information on student funding, visit the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)

Courses to help you in your caring role

Training courses can help you in your caring role. Visit your local carers centre to find out more.

The Open University’s Caring Counts is a free self-reflection and planning course developed with and for carers. It supports carers to reflect on their caring journey, as well as identifying the skills and abilities they’ve gained in their caring role.

The Open University also offers a course called Caring Counts in the Workplace, created for managers and policy makers, to help support carers in the workforce.

Further information

Contact your local carers centre to find out if there are any projects or access to support to help make the transition to work, education or training.