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Welcome to the Parenting Portal for Surrey Police and Sussex Police.
This site has been developed to make it easier for you to access helpful information and guidance throughout your parenting journey.
I recognise that no two experiences will be exactly the same, and as the lead for Surrey and Sussex People Services I’m committed to ensuring we continue to build enabling and flexible environments that enhance productivity, creativity and wellbeing that work works for everyone.
I hope you find the information provided useful, and that you help us to keep it relevant by generating questions so that we can update the content and develop the FAQ section.
Adrian Rutherford
Director of People Services
We are keen that the Parenting Groups work closely together on the areas we have identified as priorities and are pleased to announce the creation of the Parenting Portal.
This has been put in place following research by the Sussex Parenting Working Group, which identified that one of the key issues for colleagues on parenting leave was around accessing helpful information (such as payroll queries, force policy or return to work guidance) without access to police systems - issues that arise in both Sussex Police and Surrey Police.
Chief Inspector Katy Woolford
Parenting Lead Champion Sussex
Detective Chief Inspector Charlotte Rimmer
Parenting Group Chair Surrey
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]
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 to Shared Business Services at the address below, providing the email address you would like these to be sent to:
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:
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 below. The completed form can then be used in your formal request for flexible working.
Sussex
Police Officer - recurring 1 week pattern
Police Officer - recurring 4 week pattern
Police Officer - recurring 9 week pattern
Police Officer - recurring 10 week pattern
Police Officer - recurring 20 week pattern
Police Officer - recurring 27 week pattern
Police Officer - recurring 52 week pattern
Police staff - flexitime shift pattern
Surrey
Contact Centre Duties shift pattern
Supporting individuals during a long term absence from work and during their return to work
This document is included in force policy and 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 can be accessed directly, information about this 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.
KIT refresher (technical) training days are available in Surrey and Sussex. They have been set up to support police officers and police staff who are returning and transitioning back into work with technical skills focusing on Niche with additional Storm training. They have been set up by the Learning & Development team working with an officer in Sussex who had informally set up similar for herself and colleagues when returning from parenting leave.
To book onto one of the workshop-style KIT refresher training:
If individuals need refreshers for PNC and Airwave at the KIT refresher training please make this clear when making the booking as systems provisions will need to be made prior to arrival. There will also be an opportunity to complete any NCALT packages and book onto any relevant future training courses.
Specialist role-related training continues to be something that can be organised via discussion with line manager and can be booked as follows:
Surrey - by a line manager via People Solutions or directly by emailing [email protected]
Sussex - email [email protected] or call 101 extension 544444. Either individuals or line Managers can make the booking.
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:
The childcare calculator and the Childcare Choices website www.childcarechoices.gov.uk 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 through Lifestyle closed to new applicants. If you are already registered to receive childcare vouchers through lifestyle and have any questions FQAs can be found here and/or the Lifestyle team can be contacted on 0800 328 7411 or emailed at [email protected]
To log on to your account go to https://childcare.mysodexo.co.uk/login/parent.
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, Sussex 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 speak to Payroll for
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 for Surrey via email or Sussex via email.
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
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.
Key contacts - Police Officers
When you contact Equiniti please provide your:
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 Shared Business Services.
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:
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.
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 Shared Business Services and ask that the information is sent to you.
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Chief Superintendent | Future Focus (to Chief Officer) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
SCC Applications (for SCC 2022) | PNAC (for SCC 2022) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Future Focus (Supt to C/Supt) |
Promotion Process | Future Focus (6 mth review) (Supt to C/Supt) |
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Superintendent | Future Focus (CI to Supt) |
Promotion Process | Future Focus (6 month review) (CI to Supt) |
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Chief Inspector | Future Focus (Insp to CI) | Promotion Process | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Inspector | NPPF Step 2 Legal Exam Registration | NPPF Step 2 Legal Exam | NPPF Step 2 Exam Results | |||||||||||||||||||||
Promotion Process | Future Focus (Sgt to Insp) (for 2023 process) |
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Sergeant | NPPF Step 2 Legal Exam Registration | NPPF Step 2 Legal Exam | NPPF Step 2 Exam Results | |||||||||||||||||||||
Future Focus (Constable to Sgt) | Promotion Process | 0 |
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) partner 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:
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. To help individuals settle back into the workplace and whilst on parenting leave, a new service has been introduced. 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:
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.
More information will be published in due course.
Can I return to work earlier than first planned?
Yes – You will need to firstly discuss this with your line manager and inform SBS 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:
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 SBS:
What happens with the public (bank) holidays that take place during my parenting leave?
While on paternity leave you will receive one public (bank) Holiday in Lieu per public (bank) Holiday that falls during your period of parenting leave. This is pro-rata if you are part time.
Shared Business Services - HR Operations
Payroll
Shared Business Services - Central Admin Team (Training & Recruitment)
Duties
Police Federation
Unison
Shared Business Services - HR Desk
Shared Business Services - L&D Desk
Payroll Desk
Duties
Police Federation
Unison
Sussex Police
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
Tommy’s is a helpline to advise and support individuals through pregnancy, and also provides support for premature and stillborn births.
Individuals may also contact the Employee Assistance Programme at any time for reassurance or advice throughout pregnancy. Log on details for the membership section will be sent in Keep In Touch (KIT) packs and/or is available from SBS (please see the 'key contacts' section for email and phone details).
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]