The Carer Friendly Tick Award celebrates organisations that identify and support unpaid carers. The Carer Friendly Tick Award – Education was introduced in 2019 by the Norfolk Young Carers Forum and since then, it has expanded to now include three additional areas. This accreditation, available across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, and Norfolk, empowers employers, educational settings, healthcare services, and communities to showcase their commitment to being carer-friendly.
By achieving the Carer Friendly Tick Award, organisations demonstrate dedication to identifying and supporting carers. We offer expert guidance and support throughout the application process, including awareness-raising sessions, a detailed toolkit and tailored resources to help organisations meet the award’s standards. Applications are rigorously assessed by a panel of carers, ensuring a genuine and meaningful accreditation that reflects best practices in carer support. The award is free to apply for and remains valid for two years, after which you would need to submit a renewal application. This is to ensure that the culture of carer awareness is embedded in your organisation.
A member of our Carer Friendly Tick Award panel said:
“It’s fantastic to assist with evaluating these, as it allows us to see some outstanding examples and provide support to those who would like to develop their awareness of unpaid carers.”
Join the growing network of carer-friendly organisations and make a lasting difference in your community with the Carer Friendly Tick Award by contacting our team on [email protected] or call us on 01480 499090.
Are you an employer?+
It is estimated that five million people juggle work and care in the UK – one in seven in every workplace – and this figure is set to increase. Given the stresses and strains that can result from balancing work and caring, it is unsurprising that Carers UK concluded that one in six carers give up work or reduce their hours to care.
Under The Carer’s Leave Act 2023, carers are entitled to one week of unpaid leave each year. It’s more important than ever to ensure you are recognising and supporting the carers in your workforce. The Carer Friendly Tick Award – Employers is your opportunity to showcase your commitment to supporting unpaid carers within your workforce, creating a healthier, more inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
By achieving this award, your organisation will:
✅ Boost employee retention and productivity: when carers feel supported, they’re more engaged, motivated, and loyal to their employer.
✅ Enhance your reputation: gain public recognition as a compassionate and socially responsible business, strengthening your brand.
✅ Receive expert guidance: Caring Together Charity will support you every step of the way with resources, awareness sessions, and toolkits tailored for your workplace needs.
A local authority said about achieving the award:
“The Carer Friendly Tick Award has enhanced our approach to supporting working carers by providing further confidence that help and support is available for our employees with caring responsibilities, along with greater awareness of caring across the whole organisation. It has also enhanced our recruitment offer to prospective employees who may be considering a career.”
Join leading employers already making a difference by contacting our team on [email protected] or call us on 01480 499090.
See our Hall of Fame for Employers who have achieved the accreditation.
Are you a healthcare service?+
Show your commitment to outstanding care, not just for patients but for the unpaid carers who play a vital role in their wellbeing. The Carer Friendly Tick Award – Health is a mark of excellence, recognising health services that go above and beyond to identify, support, and engage with carers.
By achieving this award, your healthcare service will:
✅ Enhance patient outcomes: recognising and supporting carers leads to better communication, continuity of care, and improved health outcomes.
✅ Strengthen community trust: build your reputation as a compassionate, patient-centred organisation that values the whole care network.
✅ Access expert resources: Caring Together Charity provides tailored resources, awareness sessions, and hands-on support to help you meet the award’s standards with confidence.
A healthcare service provider who achieved the award said:
“The award has provided the service with the validation that carers are at the heart of our care. Having a database of external providers that we can signpost carer to, means that when a concern or issue is raised, carers feel heard and the relevant support is or guidance is available. The links with the external services focused on the rights and needs of carers has enriched the skills in the team, developing a more person-centred approach to the care we deliver.”
Inspire excellence in healthcare and join those already making a difference by contacting our team on [email protected] or call us on 01480 499090.
See our Hall of Fame for healthcare services who have achieved the accreditation.
Are you an education setting?+
Empower your school, college, or university to make a lasting difference for carers of all ages balancing education with caring responsibilities. The Carer Friendly Tick Award – Education recognises educational settings that go the extra mile to identify, support, and celebrate carers within their setting.
By achieving this award, your setting will:
✅ Support student success: ensure young carers have the tools and understanding they need to balance education and their caring role, reducing barriers to achievement.
✅ Enhance your reputation: gain public recognition as a compassionate, forward-thinking organisation committed to the wellbeing of all learners.
✅ Receive expert guidance: Caring Together Charity provides tailored resources, awareness training, and practical tools to help you meet the award’s standards.
An education setting who achieved the award said:
“Over the past two years, our school has proudly held the Carer Friendly Tick Award, a testament to our commitment to supporting carers within our community. This award has not only validated our efforts but has also significantly enhanced our culture.”
Inspire excellence in education and make a lasting difference in your community with the Carer Friendly Tick Award – Education by contacting our team on [email protected] or call us on 01480 499090.
See our Hall of Fame for education settings who have achieved the accreditation.
Do you work or volunteer within the community?+
Empower your community to thrive by recognising and supporting the unpaid carers who make a difference every day. The Carer Friendly Tick Award – Communities celebrates local groups, charities, and community organisations that go above and beyond to identify, value, and support carers in their area.
By achieving this meaningful accreditation, your community organisation will:
✅ Strengthen community bonds: show you care by creating a welcoming environment where carers feel valued and supported.
✅ Gain recognition: be celebrated as a compassionate, carer-aware community, enhancing your visibility and reputation.
✅ Access tailored support: Caring Together Charity provides expert resources, awareness sessions, and hands-on support to guide you every step of the way.
A community organisation who achieved the award said:
“Having the Carer Friendly Tick award has been great for the Project because it provides a formal recognition of the work we do. Supporting young carers has unique challenges and rewards, and being part of the Carer Friendly Tick community means you’re surrounded by other organisations that understand you and what you do. Being able to advertise the Award on our website and socials gives people the confidence that they are getting help from an organisation that really cares about young carers who want to work to best practice and promote the needs of young carers.”
Inspire positive change and make a lasting difference in your community with the Carer Friendly Tick Award – Communities by contacting our team on [email protected] or call us on 01480 499090.
See our Hall of Fame for community organisations who have achieved the accreditation.
If your organisation would like to learn more about being carer friendly, and the difference you can make to carers, please do get in touch with the awareness team on [email protected].
If you would like to join our Carer Friendly Tick Award panel, please see our volunteering opportunities.
The application process – in four easy steps!
Have a conversation with a member of the Caring Together Charity Awareness Team to talk through what your organisation does and how it currently works with unpaid carers, plus our team will discuss the free awareness training they can offer you.
Once you have decided you would like to submit an application, our team will send you guidance and expert training to help you meet the standards in your organisation.
Our team will then send you the application form to be completed – this can then be submitted along with any supporting evidence of how you meet the standards.
Your application is assessed by a panel of unpaid carers, who grade your application. Once assessed, you will receive an email from our friendly team detailing your award assessment and whether you have been successful!
Meet the CFTA Panel
“I have been involved with Caring Together for many years as a client of theirs and more recently as a Volunteer. As I am still in a 24/7 active caring role. I wanted an activity I could do from home and online. Being a CFTA Assessor also utilises my previous experience in assessment of evidence-based portfolios… The Award provides an instant independent signpost that the organisation will try and look after the needs of the carers they encounter… Thank YOU for supporting the CFTA scheme, for taking the time and effort in achieving the award(s), and for making MY life that little bit easier.”
“I enjoy being able to see what GP surgeries, Hospital departments, Schools and employers and community groups have achieved and how they’re all supporting Young Carers and Young Adult Carers. Having a CFTA proves that they’re taking an interest in Young Carers and Young Adult Carers and having somebody on site who they can go and talk to when needing support or even having a support groups with carers and knowing they’re not alone. It helps us know that we have support in place and it makes me proud knowing that schools have a CFTA and that they’re showing a real interest in us all.”
Did you know?
Only 3% of our income is from voluntary income. Greater income from donations and gifts in Wills will help us reach out and support the 180,000 carers we cannot afford to support.
Find out moreFundraise for carers
Your organisation or group can raise funds so we can support more unpaid carers.
Learn more