Childcare and eldercare
We have made a commitment to create a well-managed, flexible working environment that’s supports staff and respects their need to manage a healthy and productive balance between work and life outside work.
Improving the working lives of staff contributes directly to better patient care through improved recruitment and retention and by well-motivated, fairly rewarded staff.
Childcare
Finding suitable childcare
Help is available to assist you with finding the childcare to suit your needs now and in the future. A range of childcare options are available that include:
Onsite nursery places
Onsite nurseries include Smileys Childcare at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch. Places are for children up to the age of 5 years old. Contact the manager to find out about places available; the cost of childcare places or to arrange a visit to the nursery.
Worcester 01905 760416 or ext 33157
Redditch 01527 507963 or ext 47963
Or call the Family Advice and Support Service on 01905 822666. This service can search for suitable childcare for you anywhere in Worcestershire.
Out of school childcare (for children up to 16 years of age)
Out of school childcare is available across the county for children up to the age of 16. This includes before and after school care, breakfast clubs and holiday care.
Or you can call the Family Advice and Support Service on 01905 822666.
Holiday playschemes and clubs
Holiday playscheme places are available for children up to 8 years of age in Smileys Childcare at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch.
Or you can call the Family Advice and Support Service on 01905 822666.
Discounted childcare
A number of childcare providers in Worcestershire offer a discount to NHS staff. This includes nursery and out of school places.
Nursery Education Funding
Nursery Education Funding is available for all three and four year olds. Children are entitled to receive 15 hours of free early education a week for 38 weeks of the year from the school term following their third birthday.
Child and Working Tax Credits
Do you claim tax credits or childcare vouchers? Visit the Financial Assistance.
Childcare Vouchers
Childcare Vouchers are available for children up to the age of 16. This is a salary sacrifice arrangement and vouchers can be used for all childcare including, nurseries, childminders, out of school clubs and holiday playschemes.
Vouchers are available for all staff through the Trust salary sacrifice scheme. For an information pack or to find out more information call Fideliti on 0800 288 8727 or visit www.fideliti.co.uk.
Maternity and Paternity Information Sessions
These sessions are available for all staff who are planning maternity, paternity or adoption leave and are available approximately every three months. Sessions include information regarding maternity pay and leave entitlements and flexible working options. Also early years education for three and four year olds, nursery places, pre-schools, play schemes and baby and toddler groups. Also childcare vouchers, flexible childcare and child and working tax credit information.
Breastfeeding information and return to work arrangements information is also available. Sessions are informal and are provided to give you the information you need to support you on maternity leave and to plan your return to work.
Family Advice and Support Service
On the Family Advice and Support Website you can also find more information about childcare including how to choose childcare, babysitters, childcare activities, children’s centres, factsheets, financial support, finding a school in your area, additional needs and your child’s safety and wellbeing information.
There is also an online facility to search for family activities, birthday party entertainment and venues and family support services.
Bump to Baby information has been developed for parents who are expecting a baby. It provides information for a healthy pregnancy, labour and birth; as well as the early days at home with a new baby.
Flexible working opportunities
A different approach to working time and employment practices which enables staff to combine work more easily with the demands of family and other personal interests or responsibilities.
Eldercare
If you voluntarily look after someone who is ill, disabled or frail and cannot manage without your help…..you are a carer!
If you are a member of staff and looking after someone because of illness, disability or the effects of old age and cannot manage without help, a range of support is available to you.
Are you care aware?
Many people do not recognise themselves as a carer, for them they are simply helping a family member, friend or neighbour. In effect they are undertaking tasks that they consider to be part of their relationship with that person. It is important that carers recognise their role so that they can access support available to them.
Support available includes:
Carers Action Worcestershire (CAW)
- Advice through the 24/7 advice telephone helpline
- Chance to share your worries with the Carers Talktime phone support volunteers.
- Support through GP practices
- Recognition at the highest level of carers’ experiences and needs.
Free Carer sessions across the county
These include:
Handle with Care, Managing Stress, Benefits Advice, Legal and Financial Advice, Wills, Trusts and Power of Attorney, Emergency First Aid, Paying for Care, Dementia Awareness, Assertiveness and Confidence Building and lots more.
For further details about venues and session times or to book a place contact Worcestershire Association of Carers on 01905 751340.
Mental Health First Aid
Do you look after someone with a mental health problem? Mental Health First Aid could help you understand First Aid for: Depression, Overdose, Anxiety, Panic attacks and Distress.
To book a place, or to find out more call 01905 728824.
Legal and Financial Sessions
To help carers to keep up to date on all the issues around financial and legal matters related to caring FREE sessions are available that include: Benefits Advice, Wills, Trusts, Lasting Power of Attorney, Money Matters, Home ownership, Pension and tax credits, Attendance Allowance, Council tax grants, Carers Allowance, Income replacement benefits and Tax planning.
To book a Legal and Financial session contact Worcestershire Association of Carers on 01905 751340 or by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Coping with Stress
There are times when we all feel stressed and caring for someone can increase those feelings of stress. Two sessions are available to look at what causes stress and how this impacts and looks at the strategies and techniques that can be used to reduce feelings of stress. For example relaxation and deep breathing techniques.
If you are interested in attending any of these sessions, please contact Worcestershire Carers Unit on 01905 728824.
Worcestershire Carers Local Support Groups
These small friendly groups are available across the county and are a great source of support and advice, giving you an opportunity to meet other carers.
Contact Worcestershire Association of Carers for groups in your area. Call 01905 751340 for more information.
Do you help to look after someone?
Further help available to you:
- Carers Assessment - To discuss and plan your needs as a carer
- Respite - From caring
- Carers Direct Payments - To help you to have a break
- Sitter Service - Regular time for yourself
- Back Me Up Service - Care can be put in place to cover your caring role in a personal emergency
- Carers Emergency Alert Card - To get help for the person you care for in an emergency
Contact Carers Action Worcestershire (CAW) for more information.
'Time off to care' Guide - for staff who are in a caring role
A carers guide is available for staff who may need time off work to care. Being a carer may be looking after a relative or significant other. The guide provides staff with carer leave information and provides a response to immediate carer needs for abnormal and urgent circumstances that cannot be foreseen.
Flexible working opportunities
A different approach to working time and employment practices which enables staff to combine work more easily with the demands of family and other personal interests or responsibilities.