Police Parenting Portal for Sussex and Surrey

Tech support

'Tech Buddies' has been launched to support individuals preparing for their return to work – please see information that has been added to the ‘while on parenting leave’ section.

Keeping in Touch

Whilst on Parenting Leave we would like to keep you up to date by sending regular updates on routine orders, job vacancies and other force information. If you have not received any updates and would like to, please send an email the People Resolution Centre at the address below, providing the email address you would like these to be sent to:

• Surrey [email protected]
• Sussex [email protected]

Please be aware that on occasion these emails may appear in your ‘Junk’ folder therefore if you find that you are not receiving emails but you have previously provided us with an email address, please in the first instance check your junk mail.

Keeping in Touch (KIT) and Shared Parental Leave in touch (SPLIT) Days

Did you know that you are entitled to up to 10 full KIT days for Maternity and Adoption and 20 Split days when on Shared Parental Leave?

Individuals find these a great way to meet up with their line managers to start talking about returning to work, attend meetings, refresh on training or to get back into the swing of things.

You will be paid for the hours that you work which may be particularly handy when you fall into a period of no pay.

To arrange a KIT/SPLIT day, please make contact with your line manager.

KIT/SPLIT Day planner

You can use the day plan to help arrange your days. Download the planner.

Preparing to return to work

In the:

Phased return

Phased return has been put in place recognising that individuals may have been away from work for some time. It does not negate the need for usual support to be put in place, such as, a risk assessment and addressing training needs. Similarly, it does not replace the use of Keep In Touch (KIT) days which we would encourage individuals to use during parenting leave as part of staying in touch and to support return to work.

Unless an individual opts out the phased return should be put in place for 4 weeks from the return to office date. More details and QA are available in the parenting leave policy.

Why wait to hear from us? If you are already comfortable with your plans to return to work get in touch with your manager to discuss and get things set-up for your return.

Making a flexible working request

Not everyone finds that they are able to return to work on the same working hours or shift pattern. You may therefore want to apply for flexible working.

The first step is to have a discussion with your line manager to discuss what working pattern will work for you and what will fit with the team. It is a good idea to meet with your line manager so you can go through the shift pattern proposal spreadsheet relevant for your team and agree an appropriate pattern.

If you would like to start planning your return to work shift pattern you can use the spreadsheet templates.

Please email your request for the templates:

• Surrey [email protected]
• Sussex [email protected]

The completed form can then be used in your formal request for flexible working.

There are further details available in the Flexible Working section below.

Supporting individuals during a long term absence from work and during their return to work

The 'supporting individuals on return to work' document is included in the force Parenting Policy & Procedure guidance and includes prompts that can be a useful reference when speaking with your manager while you are away from work and when preparing for your return. 

Internal vacancy information

Information about current vacancies is included in regular updates sent by Shared Business Services along with information on how to access the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offered by Surrey and Sussex Police. The EAP service can be contacted at any point for advice.

Tech Buddies

'Tech Buddies' assists police officers and police staff who are returning and transitioning back into work with technical skills, focusing on Niche with additional Storm training.

As many of us have either seen or experienced personally, returning to the workplace after an extended period away through either sickness or parenting leave can be very daunting. One area in particular causing anxiety and lost work hours was becoming familiar with changes to devices and software.

Digital, Data & Technology (DDaT) offer a service to help you get 'IT ready' prior to return. Laptops and phones are brought back online and reset if required. Refresher sessions on core systems such as Niche and Pronto can also be provided highlighting how some of the systems may have changed.

• This scheme is available to officers and staff across Surrey and Sussex returning from any form of parenting leave and/or in excess of 6 months sick leave.
• The scheme's product support will be limited to Niche, Pronto, Nice Investigate, M365 suite, Body Worn Video and Storm (not the command and control aspect). Other systems are not covered.
• To request the service please email  [email protected]
• An automated email will be sent confirming that the email has been received and detailing the support available.
• An appointment is made with a member of the team allocated. Our target from contact to appointment is 14 days.

Early notification is key as this is designed to be part of a planned return to work, with an appointment booked well in advance of formal return date.

Those who have returned recently will be considered but those yet to return will be a priority.

Specialist role-related training can be organised by discussion with your line manager and can be booked as follows:

• Surrey - via your line manager or contact [email protected] or call 01273 014444 (option 3)
• Sussex - via your line manager or contact [email protected] or call 01273 014444 (option 3)

People Services and the Parenting groups are working together to ensure that the right information will be available to those that need it, at the right time, so that they are able to make informed choices around their family commitments.  Improvements to the Parenting leave policy and procedure have been made to develop information associated with having a family and better reflect the commitment of Surrey Police and Sussex Police to supporting police officers and staff combining parenthood with a career. 

For an up to date copy of the policy and procedure please contact:

• Surrey [email protected]
• Sussex [email protected]

The childcare calculator and the Childcare Choices website can be used to find out what childcare support you may be entitled to and make decisions about which option is best for you.

With effect from October 2018, changes to government rules meant existing childcare voucher programmes offered by employers are closed to new applicants. If you are already registered to receive childcare vouchers you should have received communications direct about registration and related information.   

If you are registered to receive childcare vouchers you can start to purchase childcare support from the day your baby is born and from the date you become the legal guardian of a child if you are adopting which enables you to accumulate a pot ready for when you wish to use it. Depending on how much you pay in and your earned salary, Surrey Police and Sussex Police will continue to pay your contributions at the point your parenting pay ceases and you go on to ‘no pay’. This will be paid for you until the point at which you return to work and start to receive a salary again.

Should you have any questions in relation to childcare deductions please email Payroll:

• Surrey [email protected]
• Sussex [email protected]

Calculating your pay when working a flexible pattern

Changing from a full time to a flexible working pattern will automatically have an effect on your pay. Before you submit a new pattern you may have decided how many hours you wish to work, or may want to calculate your pay in order to assist you with working out how many hours you want to work financially.

A simple calculation will help you work out your annual salary. The calculation below is an example based on a yearly salary of £36,000 and a normal working week of 40 hours reduced down to 24 hours.

£36,000 / 40 hours x 24 hours = £21,600

Once you have found your yearly salary you can then divide this by 12 to give you a monthly salary. This calculation will provide you with your calculated salary BEFORE Tax, NI, Pension and any other reductions you may have arranged. Please be mindful that your Tax Code, National Insurance and Pension Contribution percentage will differ from other individuals. Should you have any specific questions in relation to your pay it is best to contact Payroll (Surrey [email protected] or Sussex [email protected])

Pension Contributions

When you chose to reduce your salary, your pension contributions will also be reduced which will have an effect on your final pension. You will be contacted about this upon your return as both the officer and staff pension schemes provide for contributions to be made up related to parenting leave.

For staff on an ongoing basis making Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) is an option for those who wish to make extra payments to increase or make up their future benefits. The national website for the Local Government Pension Scheme may answer some of the questions you have. Access the site here.

The effect on your pension will be individual to you and so it is advisable to either contact Payroll or the pension provider directly to discuss any questions you may have. Contact information for both can be found below.

Key contacts: Sussex - police staff

• Email: [email protected]
• Tel: 01962 845588
• Address: Pension Services, Hampshire County Council, The Castle, Winchester, SO23 8UJ
• Website
• Member Portal

Key contacts: Surrey police staff

You can view your pension data online, update your details and use the online planning tools to see how much you could be saving for retirement here.

• Email: [email protected]
• Tel: 020 8213 2802
• Address: Pension Services, Surrey County Council, Room 243, County Hall, Penrhyn Road, Kingston-Upon-Thames KT1 2DN
• Website
• Member Portal

Key contacts - Police Officers

• Email: [email protected]
• Tel: 0330 0545452 (Surrey) or 0330 0545453 (Sussex)
• Website: www.myownpension.co.uk
  

We all know how daunting the thought of working out a flexible working pattern can be. The best place to start would be to have a discussion with your line manager about your needs and suggestions. You may also need to consider the requirements of your team. A good place to start is to look at patterns that are currently working for others on your team, or the equivalent in a different area. Please be mindful that the consideration of your pattern will be individual to you and your team and therefore a pattern on another division may not be suitable, but is a good place to start. Once you have put a pattern together, discuss this with your line manager for suitability before submitting it to the People Resolution Centre.

Flexible working can incorporate a number of possible changes to working arrangements, on a short or long term basis, including but not limited to; Job Sharing/Job Swap, Part Time Working, Compressed Hours and Working at alternative locations. Please see Force Policy for Flexible Working to assess your eligibility and timescales to apply for one of these flexible working options. The Policy can be requested by email to:

• Sussex: [email protected]
• Surrey: [email protected]

There are such a vast amount of working patterns which are individual to each staff member, that it would be impossible to provide examples of all patterns. Please see the 'While on parenting leave' section of this Portal for shift pattern templates.

Remember, you are not alone and there is plenty of help and support. We want to enable your return to work, and to work as much as you can and want. Should you feel that you are not being provided enough support then do not hesitate to contact a Flexible Working Advocate who will be willing to assist in any way they can.

Flexible Working Advocates

Surrey Police and Sussex Police are flexible working employers and with more and more people looking to strike that work/life balance, it is a fantastic opportunity to design your work pattern to suit you. All staff and officers can apply for flexible working - some of the options available are: job share, part time working, compressed hours, working at alternative locations and adjusted start/finish times.

• Are you interested in flexible working but not sure where to start?
• Are you a line manager in need of flexible working guidance?

Flexible Working Advocates sit outside of the flexible working application and appeal process; they provide advice and guidance rather than approving or rejecting applications or appeals. It is not a requirement to seek their advice before submitting a flexible working application. The list of Flexible Working Advocates is available on the force intranet. If you don’t have access please contact the People Resolution Centre and ask that the information is sent to you.

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Parenting SPOCs

Surrey and Sussex have established Parenting SPOCs as a support network for people off currently or about to go onto different types of parenting leave, such as maternity, adoption, shared parental, parenting partner (paternity/support) and parental leave, as well as on their return and throughout their parenting journey.

The idea behind Parenting SPOCs was developed by colleagues in both forces who recognised the benefit of an empathetic and understanding person who they could ask questions or be signposted to right place for different things. Line managers will still be the point of contact for guidance on policy and procedure. 

Parenting SPOCs are there to assist you, therefore if there is a specific question you have please do not hesitate to contact them. For a list of SPOCS email:

• Sussex:[email protected]
• Surrey: [email protected] 

 

Parenting Mentoring

Adjusting to work after returning from parenting leave? Need guidance from a workplace Mentor?

Coming back to work after being on parenting leave can sometimes feel daunting and it may take time to adjust. Parenting Mentoring enables individuals who are currently on parenting leave or who have just returned to work to receive guidance and encouragement from a workplace Mentor and to discuss career progression. All meetings are confidential and would take place at a location between the individual and the Mentor.

This scheme is open to any officer or police staff (including volunteers and Special Constables), regardless of gender, taking parenting leave or returning from parenting leave who would like to discuss career progression and personal development in conjunction with their experience of parental leave (including maternity, parenting partner/paternity/support, shared parental leave, adoption, parental leave, childcare, etc).                              

If you’d like to apply or have any further questions, please email:

• Sussex: [email protected]
• Surrey: [email protected]

This section is designed to give you some general points and information which you may not be aware of throughout your parenting journey, whilst preparing for your leave from the workplace, while you are away and also to assist you with your return.  For full information about the policy and procedure which covers these points and more please refer to the Parenting Leave policy.

• Registering for discounts via the force(s) benefit supplier – You can self register on the Edenred website. You will need to click on your employing force icon and use your FIN/SAP (aka personnel number) as your payroll number to register.
• When you first notify your line manager of your pregnancy a risk assessment should be completed with your line manager which should be reviewed and updated regularly (and if there are any changes) throughout your pregnancy and on your return to work after parenting leave. It may also be relevant for a risk assessment to be completed for other parenting leave types, e.g. if taking medication to be able to breast feed. 
• Should you feel adjustments need to be put in place for you these should be discussed with your line manager, including whether a reduction in hours is needed, and whether it is necessary for an Occupational Health Assessment to be arranged.
• Your line manager will discuss and agree with you how you will keep in contact during your time away from work including how you wish to be contacted.
• Sickness during a period of pregnancy is discounted from any attendance management, such as frequent sickness triggers.
• Before going on parenting leave it would be wise to make a note of all your passwords. Although some of these passwords will need to be changed on your return, you will find that knowing the old one will ease your update with a new one.
• Keep your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other equipment such as your radio and Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) together in a safe place. That way when you return you will not have to search about trying to remember where you put it all. Your locker is an ideal place as it keeps your kit out of the way and out of sight until needed. Do remember where you leave your keys though!
• Make a note of those persons within the workplace who you wish to keep in contact with, or who you feel you may need to contact while on leave. Details of your Parenting SPOCs are good to have!
• Not enough people make use of their KIT/SPLIT days. You have the option of coming back to work for a maximum of 10 days whilst on maternity/adoption leave and 20 days for Shared Parental Leave. These 10/20 days can be used at any time during your leave period. Do note that they are provided as days and not in hours. Therefore, regardless of how many hours you work on one day, be that 1 or 24 hours, you will have used one of your KIT/SPLIT days. You will be paid for the hours you work on a KIT/SPLIT day
• KIT/SPLIT days are useful for training courses, tidying up emails, completing mandatory online training and most importantly give you the opportunity to integrate back in to your team, making your return to work a much smoother experience. Please see the 'While on Parenting Leave' section for more information.

Can I return to work earlier than first planned?

Yes – You will need to firstly discuss this with your line manager and inform the People Resolution Centre with at least 21 days’ notice to be able to bring forward your return to work date.

What are my options if I need more parenting leave than first anticipated?

If you have taken less than your entitled Parenting Leave you are able to change your return date providing you give the appropriate length of notice (21 days for officers and 28 days for staff). Add annual leave and/or accrued public (bank) holidays to the end of parenting leave. This needs to be approved by your line manager in the usual way.

Career Breaks are offered by Surrey Police and Sussex Police up to a maximum of 5 years. Unpaid parental leave for up to 18 weeks can be taken for each child.

For more information about career breaks or unpaid parental leave please contact the following for a copy of the policy and procedure:

• Sussex: [email protected]
  Surrey: [email protected]

In the first instance you should discuss this option with your line manager and a formal request must be submitted.

Can I resign whilst on parenting leave?

If you are in receipt of Occupational Pay you are required to return to work for one month after maternity/adoption/shared parental leave or the occupational pay (i.e. in excess of the statutory pay) needs to be repaid. This month can be made up either partly or entirely of annual leave, etc.

How can I book refresher training?

Your line manager will be able to make any arrangements for training for you.

Alternatively you may contact: the Attraction and Recruitment (L&PD) Team

• Sussex:[email protected] 
• Surrey: [email protected]

What happens with the public (bank) holidays that take place during my parenting leave?

You will receive one public (bank) Holiday in Lieu per public (bank) Holiday that falls during your period of parental leave. This is pro-rata if you are part time.

People Resolution Centre

• [email protected] 
• 01273 014444

Payroll

• [email protected]
• 01273 014444

People Services - Attraction and Recruitment (L&PD)

• [email protected]
• 01273 014444

Duties

• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]

Police Federation

• [email protected]
• 01273 443681

Unison

• [email protected]
• 07511044776
• Unison website

People Services - People Resolution Centre

• [email protected]
• 01273 014444

People Services - Attraction and Recruitment (L&PD)

• [email protected] 
• 01273 014444

Payroll Desk

• [email protected]
• 01273 014444

Duties

• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]

Police Federation

• [email protected]
• 01372 352165

Unison

• [email protected]
• 101 ext 30447
• Unison website

Sussex Police

• The Sussex Christian Police Association is the Sussex branch of the Christian Police Association: a national network of police officers and staff who aim to be a national voice for Christians in Policing, encourage and support Christians in the Police Service, and communicate in words and action the message of the gospel to our colleagues and communities. The Sussex Christian Police Association share in a regular email prayer group, and meet together to encourage one another and pray for our county. [email protected]
  
  
• The aim of Enable (Sussex Police Disability and Carers Association) is to promote an organisational culture that enables people with or affected by disabilities to participate fully, free from discrimination, in all aspects of Sussex Police business.  We are also open to those without a disability, impairment or medical condition, but have caring responsibilities for someone who has a disability. [email protected]
  
  
• Evolve ​is professional network group to work on issues that affect female officers and staff in the workplace – from career progression to retaining women in all roles within the organisation. Support can also be needed in relation to personal life events that can impact on careers, such as pregnancy, maternity, part time / flexible working, and the menopause. Evolve works closely with the organisation to raise and address these issues, ensuring we complement rather than duplicate effort. [email protected]
  
  
• The Sussex Police LGBT Network are essentially a staff association which represents the needs and interests of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans employees and volunteers within the organisation, offering support, advice and guidance to both its members and the wider organisation. [email protected]
  
  
• The Race Equality Network (REN) is open to all staff, officers and volunteers who have an interest in equality in the workplace for all people who identify with a particular race, colour and nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origin. Our goal is to achieve something positive by progressing equality in Sussex Police and your thoughts and contributions will play the most significant role in this process. [email protected]
  
  
• The Sussex Police Charitable Trust is a registered charity here to offer a helping hand to Sussex Police officers, staff, special constables, pensioners and dependent family members in their hour of need. [email protected]
  
  
• The Proud Allies employee network was set up with the purpose of supporting LGBT equality in the workplace offering a way for Surrey and Sussex staff and officers who may not be LGBT to stand up and show support for LGBT issues and equality in the workplace. [email protected]

• The Interfaith Forum is an internal reference group which recognises the different faiths and beliefs held by officers, staff and volunteers. We aim to try and understand the specific needs and interests related to different belief strands, and support Sussex Police to achieve equality in the workplace. [email protected]

Surrey Police

• The Carers Group host drop-in days where carers can meet with other carers and works with Occupational Health and Management to promote the role of working officers and staff who are Carers within the organisation ensuring that Carers have the necessary support within the departments. The group provides advice and information including external caring organisations and charities. [email protected]
  
  
• The Surrey Police Association of Culture and Ethnicity (SPACE) liaises with internal and external associations, groups, and individuals with a view to valuing diversity, promoting cultural awareness, breaking down barriers, challenging discrimination and accepting and understanding all individuals within the force and the wider community. [email protected]
  
  
• The LGBT+ Network is committed to supporting and advising any member of staff and operate a confidential support network. All network members are part of the LGBT+ community and understand the issues some staff may be faced with or are experiencing. No-one is expected to be out in order to join the association and the identity of any member will not be divulged outside of the network. [email protected] 
  
  
• Well Together is a staff network established to provide a platform for discussion for us all about all matters relating to Health and Wellbeing. [email protected]
  
  
• The Women's Network is established to value women in policing and provide a way for people to come together to exchange ideas, information and support. [email protected]
  
  
• The Surrey Christian Police Association is the Surrey branch of the Christian Police Association: a national network of police officers and staff who aim to be a national voice for Christians in Policing, encourage and support Christians in the Police Service, and communicate in words and action the message of the gospel to our colleagues and communities. Surrey´s Christian Police Association (CPA) seeks to be a voice for Christians in Surrey Police. [email protected]

Tommy’s is a helpline to advise and support individuals through pregnancy, and also provides support for premature and stillborn births.

Tamba (Twins And Multiple Births Association) offers support and advice about multiple births.

We’d like to hear from you about any feedback you have from your experience before, during or after your Parenting leave to help when considering future improvements.

If you have any feedback please contact [email protected]