Frequently asked questions about W+FS

Answers to frequently asked questions about Work + Family Space

Having problems logging in?

If you are a casual worker, visitor, student, or engaged through the Temporary Staffing Service, or employed by a College you are not currently eligible for this service, which is an employee benefit for University employees.

If you are a current University employee, check the numbers you have input. 

In order to verify that you are an eligible employee Work+Family Space  will check your SSO user name (eg dept1234) and your employee number. Your employee number, which is different to your University card number, can be found via HR Self-Service, or your departmental HR contact can provide for you.  

No, the benefit is only available to University employees, so you must use the employee number and SSO username that relate to your University post.

No, the employee number is not the one on your University card. You can find it via HR self-service or the HR contact in your department can let you know what your employee number is. 

This is the code you use on all the University's IT system and will be in the format 'dept1234'.  It will not necessarily relate to the department you currently work in if you have worked in more than one department, as it does not change and remains a unique identifier for you.  So staff who first took a temporary role through the University's Temporary Staffing Service will continue to have an OTSS1234 number even if they then move into an employed role within a department.

The benefit is only available through the University for employees.  However, individuals can subscribe on an individual basis - see Emergency childcare for details.

About Work+Family Space services

the Work+Family Space is the UK's leading provider of family-friendly benefits offering a range of services to help employers support their working parents and carers.

However your family is made up, you’ll get a personalised experienced that grows with you, and your family, as your needs change. Work+Family Space offer simple, practical solutions, and a load of free tools and resources. Plus Backup Care for when your regular care arrangements let you down.

Bubble

Bubble is a childcare search app, helping thousands of working parents quickly and conveniently arrange ad-hoc and regular childcare, help with household chores, or additional family support.

You won't have to pay a booking fee on 'sits' in the app, allowing you to find sitters / nannies / housekeepers / pet sitters on a recurring or block booking basis. You simply pay for the cost of care. Simply use your work email when signing up on the app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tribo.bubbleapp&hl=en_GB

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/bubble-find-childcare-now/id1089980698

Helping Hands

Helping Hands offer adults of all ages, regardless of their health or medical needs, the expert care and support they need to live independently at home, Save 5% on your home care package now.

Registering with My Family Care is free for employees, but if you want to book Backup Care you need to meet the costs yourself.

The Work+Family Space is a nationwide provider so you can access care anywhere in the UK.

Unfortunately, Work+Family Space  services are only available in the UK.

The Work+Family Space is a nationwide provider so you can access care anywhere in the UK.

Not at all.  The decision about whether to stay at home with a sick dependent, or to use a back-up care arrangement is for you to make.  If you are able to work from home, you might even book a nanny to look after your child but work from home so that you are still near by.

The Work+Family Space are happy to consider adding any new providers who are not already on their lists and will work with you  and the care provider to try to arrange this.

An emergency doesn't have to be a first thing in the morning panic - you can access this benefit whenever your normal care arrangements break down and stop you fulfilling your work commitments.