Carers Scotland Employment Conference 2025

2025 60th Anniversary Employment Conference by Carers Scotland
Date: Wednesday, 14 May 2025
Time: 09:30 – 16:00
Location: COSLA Conference Centre, Edinburgh

Carers Scotland is thrilled to host the 60th Anniversary Employment Conference in 2025! This must-attend gathering is tailored for employers and organizations committed to fostering a supportive environment for carers in the workplace. The event will unite top employers and sector specialists to exchange insights and effective strategies for aiding employees who juggle work and caregiving duties at home.

The conference will feature three engaging plenary sessions covering key topics:
1. Advantages of Supporting Carers in the Workplace
2. The Carers Leave Act: Reflections and Best Practices One Year Later
3. Challenges in Employment and Employability for Carers
These sessions are crafted to provide attendees with profound understanding and motivation from our expert speakers.

Speakers and Topics:
– **Advantages of Supporting Carers in the Workplace**
– Hayley Burton, Senior Employment Manager, Carers Scotland
– Louise Guy, Technology Partner Manager, Student Loans Company
– Jo Dixon, Senior Business Change Lead, Student Loans Company
– Ashley McPartlin, Head of Inclusion, Diversity and Wellbeing, Brodies LLP Solicitors

– **The Carers Leave Act: Reflections and Best Practices One Year Later**
– Kathryn von Stegmann, Senior Content and Development Officer, Carers UK
– Louise MacDonald, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager, The Edrington Group
– Fiona Sinclair and Ian Whyte, Renfrewshire Council

– **Challenges in Employment and Employability**
– Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Employment and Investment, Scottish Government – Addressing barriers to employment and employability for carers
– Richard Meade, Director of Devolved Nations, Carers Scotland – Presenting key insights from the State of Caring Employment Report and Employability studies
– Jodi Codona, Carer’s Perspective – Sharing her journey as a single mother and unpaid carer, Jodi took part in The Challenges Group’s Making Work Work Programme and later established her own venture, Empowering People, which assists individuals with additional support needs and hidden disabilities in securing employment and leading independent, meaningful lives.

Throughout the day, there will be ample opportunities for networking and interactive Q&A sessions. The Carers Scotland team will be available to discuss how your organization can achieve its objectives in supporting