Parental Support Network at BEIS

The Parental Support Network is for anyone working in BEIS who has or will have parental or other child-caring responsibilities.

It provides network and support through events and 1-2-1 sessions through a buddy scheme. This groups supports all staff regardless of gender through all stages, whether they are trying for a baby, about to become a parent, have suffered the loss of pregnancy or baby or have child-caring responsibilities.

Their aim is to assist BEIS to be an exemplar employer in terms of a family-friendly culture, supporting individuals to be as effective as they can at work whilst managing the competing pressures of work and home.

What they do:

• Provide support and information to their members.
• Organise monthly lunchtime discussions on relevant topics.
• Arrange one-to-one buddying.
• Produce top tips for BEIS working parents.
• Provide advice for managers and colleagues.
• Work with HR to address common concerns of working parents.
• Liaise with other diversity networks in BEIS.
• Circulate regular newsletters.

Buddy Scheme

“A shared journey….lights the way”

“Sometimes we need someone to simply be there…not to fix anything or do anything in particular, but just to let us feel we are supported and cared about”.

Would you find it useful to have a buddy?

The BEIS Parental Support Network runs a 1:1 buddying scheme for all BEIS staff at all stages of parenthood.

How could a buddy help?

You might find it useful to have a buddy if you are:

• Expecting a baby, or planning to adopt or foster;
• Returning to work from maternity leave or shared parental leave;
• Going through a period of transition – whether starting school, or adjusting to a different working pattern; or
• Dealing with a more specific issue, like IVF, pregnancy loss, or surrogacy.

A buddy can help by giving you a different perspective, broaden your network in BEIS, lending a listening ear, and suggesting other sources of information or assistance.