Connections
To create connections, a safe space, shared purpose, interests, information, and sense of belonging for members.
Family Staff Network
Information on how the University of Sunderland's Family Staff Network has run between 2022-23.
What is the Family Staff Network?
The Family Network aims to provide a safe space to share experiences and knowledge, discuss current topics, and make influence wherever possible.
The network has made great strides to address equality issues through monthly meetings with members and raises awareness of issues to a senior sponsor when necessary.
Our members have highlighted that they enjoy the opportunity to be part of a community where they can receive support, share experiences, and gain knowledge and understanding. It is a positive environment to connect with friends and colleagues discuss topics and receive guidance in a safe space.
- 93.3% agree that this network gives them the feeling that they belong
- 85.7% agree that this network allows them to express their authentic self
- 92.9% agree that this network allows them to express their views without judgement.
Our network chair
Kirsty Kane is the Chair of the Family Staff Network.
Initiatives and actions that have impacted the University
Our network discussed the ways they have impacted the University positively. A great example is the change of policy supporting parents of pre-term babies.
We also have extended paternity leave, a statement of commitment to support baby loss, a fertility policy, and a neo-natal care leave policy that have all helped to look after our staff members over the last year.
Aims for the next 12 months
The aims for our network in the year ahead include:
- Looking for opportunities for our members to volunteer in the local area and become a part of the community
- Hosting events such as family fun days around Halloween and Christmas that children can attend. Also sharing discounts for places such as summer kids' clubs to help parents find affordable things to do.
- Creating a wider discussion around the early years' childcare crisis with members and staff sharing how they're coping in this difficult time and focusing on potential for holiday childcare provisions.
Our senior sponsors
We receive support from senior sponsors at the University. Looking forward, we ask our sponsor to:
- Commit to using their connections and knowledge to support the network in delivering great events, widening membership, and inspiring staff across the University
- Work together to feed in the views of the networks to the EDI group and Executive
- Help try to increase the attendance of new male members to our network
- Raise awareness of the network and the struggles faced by its members
- Support the development of help for families who need affordable childcare during school holidays
- Promote flexible working options.
Does the network support the delivery of the University’s value of inclusion?
When our members were asked if the group support the delivery of the University's value of inclusion, 84.6% answered ‘Definitely yes’ and 15.4% answered ‘Probably yes’.
Our terms of reference
We asked our members their opinions on how we deliver our terms of reference:
Share
To share problems, knowledge, ideas, situations, and lessons.
Solve problems
To help to solve problems and challenges by bringing resources, processes, and influencing change.
Powerful voice
To be a powerful voice and source for positive change, embedded across the whole University.
Contact us
We welcome feedback on equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Please contact our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team, inclusion@sunderland.ac.uk or the Students' Union at yoursu@sunderland.ac.uk.