Signposting - Support for families - Support for parents & carers - Working Families - 'Off Balance' Survey Report

From WPCC

Jump to: navigation, search
Section: Signposting

Subsection: Signposting - Support for families - Support for parents & carers

Working Families - 'Off Balance' Survey Report

Working families logo.JPG
Last year Working Families launched their ‘Off Balance’ survey into parents of disabled children and paid work. The report of their findings has now been published.


Some of the key findings were:

  • 76% of parents of disabled children have turned down a promotion or accepted a demotion to meet their caring responsibilities. Nearly half (45%) are working at a lower skill level than before they had their disabled child.


  • The vast majority (86%) of parents of disabled children find it ‘difficult or impossible’ to find suitable – often specialist – childcare while 82% have trouble finding childcare they can afford.
  • While flexible jobs are highly valued, they are scarce. Nine in ten (91%) parents of disabled children say finding a job with the right working pattern is a significant barrier to returning to work. Four in five (81%) say it’s a significant barrier to staying in work.


The full survey report can be found [here]

If you would like further advice about employment or benefits, Working Families also have a free legal helpline for parents and carers on 0300 012 0312.