Raising Films has published We Need to Talk About Caring the first investigation into carers working in the UK film and TV industries. The survey and subsequent report highlight the particular impact that caring responsibilities have on those within the workforce, focusing on those who care for people other than dependent children, in particular partners, relatives or children with specific disabilities.
This piece of industry research (supported by Carers UK) surveyed people who are working, or who have worked, in the screen industries and who currently have caring responsibilities or have had caring responsibilities in the past.
As with Raising Films’ previous interventions Making It Possible and Raising Our Game the findings in the We Need To Talk About Caring report will be used to inform, educate, inspire and provoke change.
“This report from Raising Films once again highlights the incredible work they do and is further evidence of their ability to change the creative industries for the better. Balancing caring responsibilities with work is something millions face every day in our country, and there is compelling evidence to suggest that caring responsibility is made more difficult for freelancers and the self-employed – and we’ve got to help these workers. I will be looking carefully at the recommendations in this report and I hope employers and businesses do too.”
Summary of findings
The We Need To Talk About Caring survey comprised 58 questions, asking respondents about their age, location, gender and ethnicity and also asking open-ended questions encouraging narrative responses about personal experiences.
- 82% of respondents stated that the impact of caring on their role in the screen industries has been somewhat or strongly negative.
- 36% of respondents earn under £10,000/year.
- 66% of BAME respondents earn under £10,000/year compared to 34% of white respondents.
- 62% of respondents stated that they received no financial support for their caring responsibilities.
- 17% of respondents identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or other.
- 76% of men and 51% of women respondents are in either full or part-time freelance, or other roles.
- 40% of male respondents work as a director.
- 16% of female respondents work as director.
- 23% of female respondents work as a writer/screenwriter.
- 81% of respondents said they intend to continue working in the screen industries for the next three years.
The survey invited respondents to list three solutions to the challenges faced by carers in the screen sector. The top three solutions were awareness, flexibility and support. Our findings suggest that there is a strong desire from carers to remain in the industry and in-role. Therefore increasing awareness, flexibility and support through targeted training and returner schemes could ensure that the film and TV industries are able to hold on to this group of experienced and skilled workers.
Moving forward
Raising Films invites the screen industry to make a commitment to start, or to continue, to address the clear desire from carers working in the screen industry for more awareness, flexibility and support.
These principles are in line with our intersectional values and support of a wider diversity and inclusion agenda.
On the back of our We Need To Talk About Caring research Raising Films commits to the following:
- Launch the Raising Films ribbon. The ribbon will be awarded to acknowledge activity that takes into account the needs of carers (and parents) working in the screen industries.
- Campaign and lobby for screen sector tax breaks for care.
- Support change through creating, signposting and sharing resources.
“Carers are not a separate group in society. Any of us might be or become a carer, many without making a conscious choice to do so or even realising that’s what we are. We don’t suddenly lose our professional skills when taking on this additional responsibility – indeed, we may gain greater knowledge and insight – but the world of work too often loses sight of us. Any change to make working practices more accommodating to carers will benefit us all.”
