The ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Parent and Carers Peer Support Scheme is an offer from the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Parents & Carers Network that supports staff who are parents, carers, or expecting to become one of the aforementioned by pairing them with a colleague who has relevant lived experience. The scheme provides informal peer support, practical insights, and an opportunity to share experiences and build connections across the University.

The scheme is open to all staff with parenting or caring responsibilities, including those who are:

  • Expecting a child
  • Returning from maternity, paternity, adoption, or shared parental leave
  • Providing care for a dependent (e.g. children, elderly relatives, or others with support needs)
  • Considering parenthood, adoption, fostering, or taking on caring responsibilities
  • Balancing work alongside parenting and/or caring at different stages

Where possible, staff may request specific requirements for their buddy (for example, a colleague with similar caring responsibilities, parenting stage, or experience of leave). While we will make every effort to accommodate preferences, this will depend on the buddy's availability and willingness.

Guidelines

Purpose of the Scheme

The Parent and Carers Peer Support Scheme aims to:

  • Support staff through key parenting and caring transitions through an informal channel (in addition to the wider support available).
  • Provide a platform to share practical experiences of balancing work with parenting and/or caring responsibilities.
  • Provide reassurance, peer connection, and informal advice.
  • Foster a sense of community across the Parents and Carers Network.
  • Complement (but not replace) formal People Function process, wellbeing, and employee support mechanisms.

Staff may request a buddy at any stage, including:

  • Before taking parental or carers’ leave.
  • During a period of leave or caring adjustment.
  • After returning to work.
  • When taking on new or changing caring responsibilities.
Benefits of Participating

Participating in the Parent and Carers Peer Support Scheme can offer benefits for both individuals seeking support and those volunteering as buddies.
For staff receiving a buddy:

  • Increased confidence when navigating parenting or caring transitions.
  • Access to practical, experience-based insights and tips.
  • A safe, informal space to share questions or concerns.
  • Stronger sense of connection and belonging within ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ.

For buddies:

  • Opportunity to support colleagues and share lived experience.
  • Development of networking and communication skills.
  • Increased engagement with the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Parents and Carers Network.
  • Personal satisfaction from contributing to a supportive community.
Expectations of a Buddy
  • The scheme is informal and voluntary.
  • Buddies are not expected to act as counsellors, advisors, or People Function representatives.#
  • Any guidance or insight shared should be based on personal experience only.
  • All discussions should be treated as confidential.
  • Practicalities such as frequency, duration, and location of meetings should be mutually agreed between the buddies.
Requesting a Buddy

Staff can request a buddy via the Microsoft Form managed and administered by the People Function Reward and Benefits Team in partnership with the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Parents and Carers Network.
When requesting a buddy via the Microsoft Form, staff should be asked about:

  • Preferred type of buddy (e.g. number of children, parenting stage, adoption experience).
  • Job family and faculty (where relevant).
  • Campus location (to support practical meeting arrangements).
Matching Buddies

Responsibility

The People Function Reward and Benefits Team is responsible for coordinating the match.
Matching Timeline (Indicative)

  • Requests will typically be reviewed within 5 working days.
  • Matching will aim to be completed within 2–3 weeks, depending on the availability of suitable buddies.
  • Where a suitable match is not immediately available, the individual will be informed and kept updated.

Matching Principles

  • Matches will be made based on stated preferences where possible.
  • Matching is dependent on availability; not all preferences can be guaranteed.
  • Campus location should be the same wherever possible to support logistics.
  • Both parenting and caring experiences will be considered when identifying suitable matches.

Key Principles
  • Informal, supportive, and confidential.
  • Peer-led and experience-based.
  • Inclusive of all parents and parenting journeys.
  • Flexible and responsive to individual needs.

Disclaimer

The Parents and Carers Peer Support Scheme is intended to give colleagues an opportunity to connect, share experiences, and offer informal peer support.

The People Function's role is limited to facilitating and setting up peer support matches. Once a match has been established, the People Function is not responsible for the content, nature, frequency, or outcomes of any discussions between participants.

Participation in the scheme is entirely voluntary. Individuals are responsible for determining what information they choose to share and for maintaining appropriate professional boundaries

Any views, opinions, advice, or information exchanged are those of the participants themselves and do not represent the views of the organisation or the People Function.