Thinking about Childcare

Welcome to the Family Support Team

The Trust is committed to supporting both Parents and Carers who work for the Trust, easing their work life balance and assisting in finding the answers to family related issues.
 

The Family Support Team is based in the Education Centre, Southend and in the office between the hours of 8.30 am and 5.00pm.  Natalie Brindle – Family Support Co-ordinator acts as an advocate to parents and Carers, advising them on all childcare and family based issues, assisting parents and Carers from maternity through to those who have dependants such as eldercare.  The services arrange from an Onsite Nursery, Workplace Holiday Scheme, Maternity Chats, emergency Solutions and much more. The Team offers assistance to all NHS staff and aids all parenting and family based issues.

Southend Hospital NHS Trust provides NHS staff with an onsite work place nursery.  Ladybird NHS Nursery provides excellent day care facilities for up to 68 children between the ages of 0 and 8 years, caring for them in a safe and stimulating atmosphere.  The nursery is OFSTED registered and provides funding for pre-school children.  It opens from 6.45 am to 6.30 pm Monday to Friday excluding Public Holidays and caters for the flexibility of all shift patterns.  The Nursery also provides Breakfast and After School Clubs for children of school age with School Pick Up at selected schools.  All NHS employees also receive reduced rates.  The Trust also provides a work place Holiday Scheme “High Flyers” which is based just 5 minutes away from the main Hospital site, the scheme caters for children between 5 and 13 years and offers them a fun filled time every school holiday. for more information regarding the scheme or the Nursery please contact: Fiona Fraser- Nursery Manager  on 01702 385330

 The Trust recognises the need for supporting the cost of child and out of school care and therefore offers

a childcare Voucher Scheme that could save parents up to £1,000 on the cost of their child and out of school care. This also means that parents that pay for out of school care also have the benefit of spreading the cost of their childcare care over 12 months.  The Team also offer support and advice on tax credits and other family related benefits. For more information please contact: Natalie Brindle – Family Support Co ordinator on 01702 507113

Surgeries are held on a regular basis, giving staff and parents the opportunity to talk about their family needs and find answers to their childcare and family related issues.  This gives parents an opportunity to gain advice, help and support in a confidential and individual manner.

Maternity and parent support are an important part of our roles.  We supply information on all aspects of childcare and welfare issues, which includes specialised issues such as bullying and truancy, and keep parents up to date with all of their entitlements and the benefits available to them.  We are also available to answer any childcare questions that parents and carers may have concerning finding the appropriate childcare facilities and location to meet their individual family needs.

Many Thanks

Lisa Green
Childcare Business Manager
01702 508055 ext 8055