AN East Morton carer has told a Government minister of her experiences.

Mrs Helen Tawn paid tribute to her former employer, who she said had been extremely supportive when she started caring for both her mother and daughter.

She was speaking during a visit to the Carers' Resource office at Shipley by the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, Esther McVey.

The minister heard that while some unpaid carers had positive experiences with their employer, many were struggling to juggle their caring roles with work.

Mrs Tawn, 51, said her mother was now in a care home, with dementia and mobility problems, and her 18-year-old daughter had been in hospital in Manchester for 18 months with an eating disorder.

"I am not able to work at the moment because life is so unpredictable," she said.

"I spend pretty much every day visiting my daughter or my mum.

"When I was working I was a subject librarian at Keighley College and at the point my daughter was taken out of school in 2015, I initially took sick leave to look after her. That triggered a formal process with HR.

"They generously suggested I take a career break and I was grateful for that flexibility and for the support from my line manager and head of department, which was invaluable and reassuring.

"Not all carers would have an employer with such empathy, awareness and compassion.

"Ideally all carers should have the same support I had. It shouldn't be a lottery. That's why a carer-aware kitemark for employers is so important."

Carers' Resource chief executive, Chris Whiley, said a kitemark would ensure working carers knew where they stood if they had to take time off for caring or found themselves in an emergency situation with their loved one.

"Also they would be confident to reveal to their employer that they are a carer," said Ms Whiley.

"Some of our carers have good experiences with their employers but others have a really tough time.

"We want the Government to lead from the front by setting out national guidelines to ensure all carers are treated fairly."

As well as chatting with carers, Ms McVey – who visited with local MP Philip Davies – met the charity's leaders.

She said: "It was a pleasure to come and speak to some of the carers about the issues facing them.

"Carers make-up a talented pool of employees and after this meeting I will be looking to work with Carers' Resource to see how together we can create a kitemark so employers can recognise their fantastic contribution to the workforce."

The charity supports around 16,000 unpaid carers across the Bradford district, and in the Harrogate and Skipton areas.

For more details, e-mail bradford@carersresource.org or call 01274 449660.