Information for parents, parents-to-be, or carers
We are aware that staff and students may need assistance navigating university policies regarding parenting, caring, and maternity/paternity policies.
We have appointed a Parental Champion, Lynn Kearns to guide you through the process; contact Lynn by email to arrange an appointment if you wish. We also recommend you discuss your requirements with your Line Manager as soon as possible, to ensure the best possible support before, during, and after your leave.
We also support flexible working; see our case studies of both staff and students who work flexibly in the School.
Members of the University should also be aware that the University of Glasgow has its own nursery which looks after up to 74 children aged from 6 weeks to 5 years.
Links to relevant university policies and support networks are detailed below.
Information on University policies
Maternity leave toolkit
The University's maternity leave toolkit should be read in conjunction with the University's policy on Shared Parental Leave to ensure that employees are fully aware of the options available to them and their family.
Paternity leave policy
The University's paternity leave policy provides information for fathers-to-be on leave policies.
Shared parental leave toolkit
Shared Parental Leave may support a family to balance work and childcare commitments as it allows parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave within a baby or child’s first year following birth or adoption.
Ordinary parental leave policy
Ordinary parental leave can be used by parents to take unpaid time off work to look after a child or to make arrangements for a child's welfare.
Adoption leave policy
The University is committed to supporting employees to understand the choices available to them when planning for the adoption of a child. The University's adoption leave policy should be read in conjunction with the University's policy on Shared Parental Leave, which is available to adopting parents.
Emergency leave for carers policy
The University's emergency leave for carers policy gives the right to time off to care for dependants for all staff, regardless of their length of service. The School also supports flexible working arrangements to enable care of dependants, for example see our case studies from the School of Chemistry.
Information on Internal and External Support Networks
Student parents and carers
The University has a variety of information available for student parents and carers within the University.
Parent buddy network
The University set up its Parent Buddy Network, for all parents and parents-to-be, to facilitate peer-support and advice around managing childcare issues and workloads.
International family network
is a University-wide scheme to support international parents and their dependants.
Academic returners research support policy
The University's Academic Returners Research Support Policy provides up to £10k to be used within the 12 months returning from Maternity/Paternity/Adoption/Shared Parental leave to enable activities such as conference attendance, collaboration visits, buyout of teaching, hiring research staff etc.
Royal Society of Chemistry Carers Grant
With the Royal Society of Chemistry Carers Grant, you can apply for up to £1200 to attend a chemistry-related meeting, conference or workshop or a professional development event, to cover any additional costs you incur, paying for care that you usually provide.