The University of Southampton

Tax-free childcare

Tax-free childcare was introduced by the government in 2017 to help working parents with the cost of childcare. Tax-free childcare is available to working parents, including the self-employed. To be eligible, parents (and their partners, if they have one) must earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the national minimum wage, have an eligible child (under 12, or 17 if disabled) and earn under £100,000 each per year. Full details

Early Years Centre

The Early Years Centre provides high quality education and childcare for children aged four months to five years. The Early Years Centre is open from 8am to 6pm for 50 weeks of the year. Full details

Parents and Carers Network

The Parents and Carers Network (P&CN) aims to support the working lives of colleagues who also have off-campus caring responsibilities. Carers include those looking after someone who is unable to care for themselves due to old age or a disability. Full details

Maternity leave and pay

Eligible mothers are entitled to maternity leave and pay. Full details

Parental leave and shared parental leave

All University staff who have been continuously employed with us for 12 months are entitled to parental leave, subject to certain conditions, which are outlined in our parental leave policies. Shared parental leave enables eligible mothers, fathers, partners and adopters to choose how to share time off work after their child is born or placed for adoption. This could involve returning to work for part of the time and then resuming leave at a later date. Full details

Paternity leave

University staff whose partner is having a baby or are adopting a child together might be eligible for both ordinary paternity leave and up to 50 weeks shared parental leave, subject to certain conditions. Full details

Compassionate and domestic leave

Staff are entitled to up to 4 days of paid compassionate or domestic leave per leave year for dealing with a domestic emergency or a bereavement. The leave year at the University of Southampton runs from 1 October until 30 September the following year. Full details

Extended carers’ leave

Staff who look after a dependant who is recovering from a serious illness or who is terminally ill, or staff who settle a dependant into a care home, are entitled to up to 2 weeks of paid extended carers’ leave per leave year. Full details

Healthcare insurance

AXA PPP healthcare provides university staff with the opportunity to claim 2 months free health insurance for themselves and their family. New joiners receive a £100 M&S gift card. Full details

Dental plan

Bupa’s dental insurance plan covers the cost of a wide range of dental treatment for staff and their families (single, couple, single parent, family and eldercare coverage is available). Full details