Working at DWP as a parent and carer: Natalie’s experience of flexibility and support

Created by VERCIDA for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

Natalie shares how agreed working arrangements have helped her manage changing responsibilities at home.

Natalie works in Resourcing within DWP’s People and Place directorate. She has an 11-year-old son who has recently started secondary school and enjoys golf and football. Natalie and her husband are also the primary carers for an elderly relative who has experienced several falls over the past year. She describes managing these responsibilities as involving “lots of running around” and “passing the baton” with her husband.

How flexible working supports Natalie

Natalie says flexible and hybrid working have been essential in helping her manage her work alongside her family and caring responsibilities. “I don’t think I could do anything without that,” she says. This flexibility also helps her respond when unexpected situations arise.

Natalie joined DWP on a six-month contract in 2021 and has since worked in four different roles. She says flexible working has been a consistent part of her experience: “Even before my caring responsibilities increased, agreed flexible working arrangements helped me manage my work alongside my parenting responsibilities.”

Natalie recognises that flexible working options will vary depending on the role and business requirements.

Putting a carer’s passport in place

Natalie initially managed school runs and occasional delays through informal conversations with her manager. Around twelve months ago, as her caring responsibilities increased, she put a carer’s passport in place to formally record the arrangements agreed with her manager.

Natalie’s carer’s passport records her agreed arrangements, including a reduced expectation for office attendance. She says it can also move with her if she changes roles: “I don’t have to explain everything from the beginning.” Having the arrangements formally recorded has also reduced some of the pressure she previously felt: “It just takes the pressure off feeling like I’m not doing certain things that I feel like I should be doing.”

Natalie found information about the carer’s passport on DWP’s intranet and through its carer’s hub, where she also read about other colleagues’ experiences. Their stories reassured her that it was reasonable to ask for support: “You think, am I being a bit over the top saying that I need extra help? But it’s justified to be asking for a bit of extra support.”

The conversation: asking for support

Natalie says she initially felt apprehensive about asking for support, based on her previous experience of working in retail and customer-facing banking. “It’s ingrained in me a little bit that, if I’m asking for time off or some kind of adjustment, I’m going to be met with a no. But my experience at DWP has been completely different.”

Natalie says her line manager encouraged her to explain the support she needed. “He gave me the opportunity to say what I needed rather than making suggestions. It was a coaching conversation: what do you need, what does that look like and what would work for you?”

The part policy can’t solve: managing competing priorities

Natalie acknowledges that balancing work, parenting and caring responsibilities can still be challenging. Asked what she has found most difficult, she says: “Always wanting to do everything 100% and not necessarily always being able to.” She also describes feeling conflicted when different responsibilities compete for her time: “You can’t be in three places at once.”

Natalie says she is proud that she asked for support. She explains: “It doesn’t come naturally to me to ask for help. Had I not mentioned it, I’m not sure how I’d have maintained any balance. It was a weight lifted, and that conversation was met with nothing but support. No judgment.”

If you are a parent or carer thinking about applying

Natalie encourages parents and carers who are considering a role at DWP not to assume that their responsibilities will be a barrier to applying. She says: “There is support available. If you have children or other caring responsibilities, it doesn’t have to stop you applying.”

DWP job adverts explain the flexible working and job-sharing options available for each role. Depending on individual circumstances, employees may also be able to access support such as workplace adjustments, a carer’s passport and staff networks. Reflecting on the range of working patterns available, Natalie says: “It’s not just full-time, Monday to Friday, nine to five.”

Natalie encourages parents and carers to explore DWP opportunities and consider the working arrangements available for each role.