About the conference
Equality and Work: Supporting carers through the employment journey will shine a light on the challenges faced by the millions of people who combine paid work with caring for an older, sick or disabled family member or friend. It will look at the support they need to help them through their employment journey and hear first-hand from employers and thought leaders on the policies and practices they are developing and implementing for the workforce.
Research published by Carers UK in August 2024 showed that thousands of unpaid carers feel they have been treated unfairly by their employer, or when accessing services. Bringing together business leaders, practitioners and policy experts, the conference will discuss the barriers and inequalities faced by many carers in employment and explore what is required to help them combine work and care.
Carers UK’s 60th anniversary year is focusing on equality for carers in every area of their lives, but perhaps none is more significant than employment. Being able to juggle work and care is critical for carers’ health and wellbeing but above all their financial security, including planning for retirement.
With many carers saying they are not confident they will be able to carry on juggling work and care – because of their employer or a lack of services – can we afford to lose this exceptional talent pool from the labour market?
Join us to debate these key issues with a programme of inspirational contributors, chaired for a second year by professional broadcaster, journalist and presenter Kirsty Wark.
Agenda
The conference will use a mixed format of keynote sessions, panel discussions and facilitated breakouts to inspire a lively conversation about what equality means for carers in the workplace. Key topics for the day include:
- What conditions are needed to create a fairer working environment?
- How can carers be supported throughout the entire employment journey - recruitment, retention and progression
- What next steps can we all take to achieve equality for carers at work?
The conference will run from 9.30am to 4pm, with a drinks reception to follow.
Conference chair
Kirsty Wark is one of the UK’s trailblazing female news journalists.
She presented BBC’s Newsnight for 30 years, stepping down after the 2024 General Election. Kirsty has also hosted the ground-breaking Late Show, Election specials and live stadium events.
Kirsty has won several major awards for her work including BAFTA Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting, Journalist of the Year and Best Television Presenter.
Speakers
We are delighted to share the following experts and thought leaders who are already part of our lineup of speakers, with more to be announced:
- Justin Madders MP, Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets, Department for Business and Trade
- Kelly Beaver MBE, Chief Executive, Ipsos UK & Ireland
- Nathanael Benjamin, Executive Director, Financial Stability, Strategy and Risk, Bank of England
- Jonny Briggs, Director, Diversity, Inclusion and Resourcing, Aviva
- Helen Walker, Chief Executive, Carers UK
- Caroline Waters OBE, Founder, CW Consulting Box and Vice President of Carers UK
Booking
- One free ticket for EfC members
- Further bookings from an EfC member organisation - £200+VAT
- Carers UK Affiliate organisations - £225+VAT
- Non EfC or Affiliate bookings - £250+VAT
Venue
One Great George Street, London, SW1P 3AA
The Equality and Work conference will take place at One Great George Street, a central London conference centre in Westminster. Set in a magnificent Grade II listed, four-domed, Edwardian building the conference centre is very close to the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and St James's Park.
Westminster tube station (exit 6) on the District, Circle and Jubilee lines, and St James's Park tube station on the District and Circle lines, are just a five minute walk away.
Cancellation policy
All cancellations must be made in writing or by email and must be received no later than 11 April 2025 (refund requests within the required period of notice will be subject to a £30 administration fee).
After this date the full fee remains payable, but you can send an alternative delegate provided you confirm this in writing or by email before the day of the conference. Please get in touch at events@carersuk.org
*Topics, workshops and speakers may be subject to change.
