As part of their ongoing commitment to improving support for unpaid carers, Suffolk County Council have developed the Suffolk All Age Carers’ Strategy 2022–2027, which outlines clear, strategic objectives to make Suffolk a more carer-friendly county. Find out more about the strategy.

One of the key goals in Suffolk is to support the recruitment, retention, and wellbeing of unpaid carers into the Suffolk workforce, and that is where their new Caring Companies programme comes in…

What is the Caring Companies programme?

Caring Companies is an exciting new offer from Suffolk County Council in partnership with Suffolk Family Carers.

It is an accredited three-tier programme designed to celebrate and support organisations that champion unpaid carers within their workforce.

Participating organisations can be awarded at bronze (funded by Suffolk County Council), silver, or gold level.

The bronze award requires a commitment to complete the employers’ workshop for managers/supervisors, employee sessions for family carers in the workplace, having a family carer champion, and a broader knowledge of support available through Suffolk Family Carers.

Once you have completed the bronze award, your company will receive:

• A digital email logo to showcase your status.
• An official certificate of recognition.
• Inclusion in Suffolk’s growing network of carer-friendly employers.
• The opportunity to progress to silver and gold.

Silver and gold will bring a more in-depth, bespoke approach, working closely with Suffolk Family Carers and your own organisation to further embed an inclusive and supportive workplace for family carers for years to come.

Whether you are just starting your journey or already leading the way, this programme helps you demonstrate your commitment to inclusive, supportive workplaces.

Why join?

Unpaid carers bring a wealth of skills, resilience, and commitment to the workplace. Supporting them helps to:

• Retain skilled staff and reduce costs of recruitment and induction.
• Attract a wider talent pool, including those with valuable lived experience.
• Create a more inclusive, compassionate workplace culture.
• Boost productivity and morale by supporting employees’ work-life balance, also improving wellbeing.

Other benefits include:

• Employed family carers are typically loyal and dedicated to the company that supports them.
• Family carers bring a wealth of transferable skills from there caring role.

Upcoming provider initial information sessions

Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Family Carers will be hosting two free-to-attend essential sessions for employers and service providers.

These sessions will cover:

• Strategies for retaining unpaid carers in the workforce.

• Best practices for recruiting unpaid carers.
• How to enhance the workplace experience for unpaid carers.
• Recognising and valuing carers’ unique contributions.

The next information sessions are:

• In-person event
  Date: 11^th February 2026
  Time: 9:00 – 12:00
  Location: Kesgrave Conference Centre
  Book your free place.
  Note: Places are limited to two attendees per organisation.

• Online session
  Date: 24^th February 2026
  Time: 10:00 – 12:00
  Book your free place.

For more information or to register for free for bronze, contact hello@suffolkfamilycarers.org.