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Parents and Carers Together

Welcome. Our network brings parents and carers together on one platform to address the needs of a diverse community

Join the PACT network

About PACT

ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûParents and Carers Together (PACT) is a volunteer-led grassroots network that was established in May 2014 to raise awareness of the needs of working parents and carers.
The network directly meets the second strategic objectiveÌýof theÌýÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2020 Strategy: to 'improve the consistency of experience and support of staff and students around pregnancy, maternity, paternity, childcare and caring responsibilities.'

Issues commonly facing parents and carers include:

  • part-time working
  • flexible working
  • techniques and strategies for communicating with colleagues and/or managersÌý
  • dealing with discrimination and stereotypesÌý
  • managing expectations of other staffÌý
  • challenging inappropriate comments
  • emerging technology and its impact
  • establishing work-life balance.Ìý

Core aims

  • To support staff members who are balancing new or ongoing caring responsibilities with work
  • To raise awareness of ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûpolicies that support parents and carers
  • To open up discussion about the matters facing parents and carers working in universities
  • To empower individuals throughout and beyondÌýlife at UCL
  • To help the institution realise and achieve its strategic aims and aspirations, notably ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2034, the Equality, Diversion and Inclusion Strategy 2015 - 2020, and the ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûGrand Challenge of Human Wellbeing.

Structure of PACT

Chair

Clare Hewitt - c.hewitt@ucl.ac.uk

Members of the wider PACT network

PACT is for anyone with caring responsibilities, whetherÌýfor adults or children, that impact in some wayÌýon their working life or wellbeing. The network is open to all staff groups. We also work closely with ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûHuman Resources who have consulted the PACT members to help shape policy and training.ÌýÌýÌý


What does PACT do?

PACT aims to be responsive to its members' needs. Bi-monthly events provide an opportunity for parents and carers to gain expert advice and insights from ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûcolleagues and external service providers. It is also a chance to meet other members with a view toÌýsharing stories, tips and strategies relating to work and/or home in an open and informal environment.

The group also maintains a virtual presence on

We have run many sessions for our members and are always open to suggestions. Here are some examples and recordings can often be found on the MS Teams site:

  • Staff network and HR policies to support parents at UCL
  • Making flexible working arrangements on return to campus
  • Dealing with grief and loss
  • Managing conflicts with children
  • Bilingualism for children
  • Dementia friendly session
  • Leave entitlement at UCL
  • Caring for elderly parents: personal perspective from senior ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûcolleaguesÌý
  • Approaches to flexible working at UCLÌý
  • Maternity coaching series: A unique and novel support series which has never been provided previously.

    We also have special interest groups which have separate channels on our MS Teams site. These are the Staff Dementia Network and the Parents and Carers of Neurodivergent Children Support Group.

Awards and Nominations

  • PACT won the 'Provost's Excellence Award' in 2016 for its service to ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûstaff members and for providing coaching and practical support
  • PACT was runner up for the 'Provost's Excellence Award for Service to Staff' in 2017 and was shortlisted from 97 entries.
  • In 2019, the work of PACT Network was recognised at the Professional Services Conference and was awardedÌýOutstanding Contribution to Staff Experience

Join the PACT network



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