Hours and leave

For a full-time role, employees will normally work a five-day week of 35 hours, excluding one hour for lunch which is unpaid.

Annual leave of 26 days, rising to 31 days after five years’ reckonable service, is provided in addition to statutory holidays and 1.5 ‘privilege days’ each year.

Hours for part-time posts will be pro-rata based on a 35-hour (net) working week. Annual leave and entitlement to bank holidays are also calculated on pro-rata basis.

Special leave

We allow paid and unpaid special leave in specified circumstances. More information is available on our staff intranet.

Workforce development

We are fully committed to learning and development. We want to ensure staff have the right skills and knowledge to deliver their roles effectively.

We offer access to a wide range of training opportunities including workshops and e-learning delivered in-house, as well as some opportunities for external learning.

We also have a thorough performance management process designed to identify and enable further development professionally and personally.

Pension

We offer the following pension options:

• Alpha under the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS)
• Partnership Pension Account.

More information on these options is provided on appointment.

Salary advance

An interest-free advance is offered to all members of staff who have completed their probationary period to cover the cost of an annual season ticket or purchase of a bicycle.

There is also the option for an advance to cover the first month’s rent deposit on a flat/house. The sum advanced will be repaid by regular deduction from salary.

Cycle to Work scheme

As part of the government’s Cycle to Work scheme, we are able to hire out bicycles and cyclists' safety equipment to employees as a tax-free benefit. Employees choose the bike and safety accessories needed and we will hire the equipment to the employee through salary sacrifice reductions for a minimum 12-month period. This can save employees up to 40% on the retail price.

Gym membership and health screening

After three months' service we will offer up to £50 per month (paid through payroll and taxable) for gym membership. After one year's service there is also the option of a health screen provided by Nuffield Proactive Health.

Benenden Healthcare

Employees are eligible to join Benenden Healthcare. Benenden can offer affordable healthcare benefits which work alongside and not in competition with the NHS. It is a low-cost, high-benefit plan which offers a flexible range of treatment for employees and their nominated relatives.

Tax-Free Childcare

Tax Free Childcare is a scheme provided by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) which provides parents with the opportunity to get up to £500 every three months (£2,000 a year) for each child to help with the costs of childcare. The government will pay £2 for every £8 you pay your childcare provider. This is paid via an online childcare account that you set up for your child. More details can be found on the HMRC website.