Parents and Caring
The University provides a range of policies and services to support parents and carers, including:
- Flexibility and time off when you need it most
- Support from colleagues through our staff network groups
- Financial support through saving schemes to help with the cost of childcare.
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LEAVE AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES
The University prides itself on being at the forefront of best practice in employment. To further this aim, we have implemented a series of work life balance policies.
- MATERNITY AND ADOPTION LEAVE
Queen’s University is an equal opportunity employer committed to supporting the work life balance of its employees and as such offers generous maternity and adoption leave provisions.
For further advice on part time working or job-share working following maternity or adoption leave, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Unit.
- CHILDCARE SERVICES
Childcare Services
As a recognised family friendly employer, Queen's have one childcare site on campus, offering quality childcare services for staff and students.
Childcare Services at Queen's offer a range of affordable childcare support in campus with full day care provision for children from 6 weeks to 4 years at the Creche site at 11 College Gardens. There is also an After School Club for children from Primary 1 to Primary 7 including a daily school collection facility at this creche site.
This childcare site promotes the ethos of a happy, caring atmosphere within a stimulating and learning environment and is registered with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
For further information, please contact Childcare Services via email on childcareservices@qub.ac.uk or via telephone on 02890 971288.
University staff can avail of the Salary Sacrifice Scheme (Childcare+) as a fee payment method.
Further information about Child Care services.
Tax Free Childcare
Staff may avail of the new Government Scheme "Tax Free Childcare". QUB staff can sign up for this directly with HMRC.
You can check your eligibility for tax free childcare.
Family Benefits Advisors from Employers for Childcare can give you further advice about Childcare Vouchers, Tax Free ChildCare and general family benefits advice.
Contact:
Employers for Childcare
Phone: 028 9267 8200
Email: hello@employersforchildcare.orgAt a Glance
Who gains with the new Scheme?
- working single parents who have annual child care costs at or above £5000
- working couples with annual child care costs at or above £9500
- Self-employed couples provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
Who loses with the new Scheme?
- Couples where one parent is not working
- Couples who have a single child
- Families where the childcare costs are minimal such as those who have children at school full time and so rely on part time care from Childminders or After School Clubs
- Where either parent earns in excess of £100,000 per annum
External Links
- Employers for Childcare website - Frequently Asked Questions on Tax Free Childcare.
- Short video explaining the differences between Tax Free Childcare and Childcare Vouchers.
- Employers for Childcare Savings Calculator (please only use this to give you an illustration of potential savings: always seek professional advice on your financial circumstances before making a decision to choose an appropriate scheme).
- The Government have created a new website to explain and assist parents in making the right choice for them. *NEW*
- HMRC have produced a top ten list of things parents should know about the new Tax Free Childcare Scheme. *NEW*
However, if you have any particular queries about your salary sacrifice arrangements, please contact the University's Salary Office directly.
Other Useful Links
- CARERS NETWORK
The University’s Staff Carers’ Network was established to provide working carers with the opportunity to come together and share experiences, discuss issues, ask questions and arrange informal meet ups.
Any member of staff wanting to make contact with the network should email eqdiv@qub.ac.uk - BREASTFEEDING WELCOME HERE SCHEME
Queen’s is a member of the Public Health Agency’s ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ Scheme and is supportive of the needs of breastfeeding mothers on University premises.
Breastfeeding is welcome in all areas of the campus which are open to the public. A mother who is breastfeeding will not be asked to move to another area or stop breastfeeding.
You will see ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ window stickers and certificates on display throughout our campus.
