Information for Carers, Parents and Parents-To-Be
Institute of Cancer Sciences Family Friendly Information Pack
Welcome to the Institute of Cancer Sciences. We encourage an open and family friendly working environment. We list below links to some of the resources that parents, parents-to-be and carers might find useful. Further information can be found on the Institute Athena SWAN webpages
ICS Athena SWAN webpages
We are aware that many staff members need some additional guidance or help with understanding university policies and how they relate to their own situation. For this reason we can offer a 1:1 meeting with Human Resources regarding options around maternity leave/carers leave/parental leave for ICS staff members. Please email Head of ICS Professional Services: jacqueline.coutts@glasgow.ac.uk who can arrange the meeting. In addition, staff members are encouraged to discuss any issues/requirements with their line manager as soon as possible, who will help ensure that the staff member is supported before and after their period of leave.
Maternity leave
The maternity leave policy provides useful information on antenatal care, keeping in touch days and pay entitlement. The University has recently updated its maternity leave policy to abolish the minimum service required in order to benefit from its enhanced maternity leave packages.
A particularly useful link is the Maternity Policy toolkit which lists the available support documentation including guidance, forms and checklists in one place.
Toolkit link: Maternity Leave
The University provides support for other parental leaves besides maternity leave, details of which are listed below.
Paternity leave
The University’s paternity leave policy was updated in April 2017, to include 2 weeks’ fully paid leave.
Shared parental leave
Shared Parental Leave (SPL) may support a family to balance work and childcare commitments as it allows parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave within a baby or child’s first year following birth or adoption. There is a University toolkit to provide more information on this
Toolkit link: Shared Parental Leave
Carers leave
For information on emergency time-off see:
Carers Leave
For other situations employees are reminded that the Institute supports flexible and part-time working, and these should be discussed with your line manager in the first instance.
Adoption leave
Adoption Leave
Returning to work after family leave
Breastfeeding- the Institute provides private facilities and provide a dedicated refrigerator for returning women who wish to express breast milk at work. For more information contact Head of ICS Professional Services: jacqueline.coutts@glasgow.ac.uk.
Parental Buddying scheme: this is available as a university-wide initiative
Parental Buddying Scheme
We are also keen to set up an Institute specific maternity buddy scheme. Any volunteer buddies please contact Donna Nile, ICS Research Associate: donna.nile@glasgow.ac.uk.
Tax-free childcare voucher scheme: Tax-free, salary sacrifice scheme to help with childcare costs
Support for students with young families/caring responsibilities
Student Parents Policy
Student Carers Policy
Support for employees with young families/caring responsibilities
Many resources exist at both Institute and University level
Institute of Cancer Sciences initiatives:
ICS Returners Reskilling Fund: this provides funds (maximum £500) for networking, conference attendance (including cost of additional childcare) and re-skilling for staff members returning from maternity leave, adoption leave or extended parental leave. For details on how to apply please contact Head of ICS Professional Services: jacqueline.coutts@glasgow.ac.uk
Teaching workload: All returnees from maternity or adoption leave can have their teaching workload reviewed and minimised or reallocated for 6 months if desired.
University initiatives:
MVLS Diversity and Inclusion Funds: The latest ISSF award from Wellcome includes funds to support and improve gender equality throughout the College. As such, MVLS can support three new funding schemes:
Network and Event Fund
Academic Returners Support Fund
Carers’ Conference Fund
(Please see Diversity and Inclusion Funds for details)
UofG Young(ish) parents (Facebook group): see Support for Parents and Carers for details
Parents and Carers forum Yammer account: Yammer Parents and Carers Forum
This list is not exhaustive. Please inform us if you are aware of any other resources that would be useful to add to this list (email jacqueline.coutts@glasgow.ac.uk). We are always looking for volunteers to join our Athena SWAN family friendly working party, please email Stacey if you would like to get involved.