Firstly I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Susan Matheson and I am the Carer Coordinator for South Tyneside Foundation Trust and Sunderland NHS Trust
My role is to act as an adviser and advocate to parents working in the NHS and to co-ordinate affordable childcare which will suit individual needs. I also support staff with caring responsibilities to manage work and caring and help them get the right support for their circumstances.
Working in the NHS, being part of a team that delivers care 24 hours a day every day, means that combining work and family responsibilities isn’t always easy.
The NHS is taking up the challenge to become one of the country’s most flexible and family friendly employers.
THE SERVICE AVAILABLE TO YOU
On a daily basis I provide a service offering advice and information on childcare options, facilities in your area. Staff can contact me either by email or telephone. I am also happy to come out to people and meet them at there work place if that is more convenient.
On a weekly basis you will be given the chance to come along to a drop in forum based at the 2 different sites – these sites are The Sunderland Royal Hospital in the Occupational Health department and South Tyneside District Hospital in the restaurant.
At these meetings staff will have the chance to meet with me face to face to discuss any issues they may be having difficulties with regarding childcare and caring issues. There will also be various leaflets available on the different childcare and carer support options available to you. At times during the year there will also be professionals from outside childcare and carer agencies for staff to be able to come along and talk to regarding their personal circumstances.
I am also here to advise managers on the various issues around childcare and carer support to enable them to support their staff in the workplace I have built up good relationships with local Early Years Teams and Carer support organisations; therefore if at any stage I can’t help I can put you in touch with the right organisation.
I have access to information regarding financial support available for parents and carers that is available to staff who may be eligible to financial support. Information is available on the Childcare Voucher Scheme the trust has in place which can save parents up to £1000 off the cost of their annual childcare, these vouchers can be used to pay for Childminders, Day nurseries, breakfast clubs, after school facilities, holiday play schemes and also nannies
There are many holiday play schemes around Sunderland, Washington and Gateshead, South Tyneside and Newcastle that staff can book through the childcare coordinator. If any of the schemes are not suitable we can look for alternative ones. We can also link in with specialist schemes if you are looking for any childcare for children with any disabilities or specific needs.
We can also organise Emergency Childcare for staff to use when their usual childcare arrangements break down. This emergency cover can both be arranged near to work or home and arranged at short notice.
Keep in touch scheme – this is a scheme for new parents or parents to be who are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave. They will be sent regular up to date information about childcare and the different initiatives available as well as details on attending a “Stork Club” drop in which takes place every 12 weeks giving staff the opportunity to meet the childcare coordinator face to face and also discuss the options around returning to work with a member of the personnel team.
