Swansea University – Finalist 2021, Best for Carers & Eldercare
Swansea University recognise that most staff will become carers at some point in their life. The organisation’s culture is centred around supporting them to balance work and caring responsibilities.
The university’s support for carers includes a staff carer’s network, carer-friendly policies and funding for student carers.
Staff are invited to identify as carers either when they join the university or in the bi-annual staff survey. The organisation has a carer passport scheme, which offers support, information and other services.
Carer-friendly policies include agile and remote working, flexible working, dependants leave and compassionate leave.
A staff carer’s network meets online, and prior to the pandemic met in person. It provides peer support, practical tips and invites speakers such as local carer centre representatives. The university has reached out to their BAME network to raise awareness of available help for carers. A Yammer group nurtures information sharing between peers.
More general support services also help carers including a choir, wellbeing support and a 24/7 confidential counselling service.
The university has invested in a Carers UK digital resource which provides information for carers, online training and free access to an app enabling them to co-ordinate the care of their dependant.
Online training sessions are available for all line managers on the carer’s passport and the needs of staff carers.
The organisation supports Carers Week and Carers Rights Day. In 2020 some carers produced videos of their experiences for the intranet to help raise awareness among all staff.
The university provides funding of £1,000 per year to support student carers, who also benefit from monthly meetings with student welfare staff.
Award sponsored by Crown Prosecution Service