The University has introduced a new Conference and Training Care Fund. This is designed to help colleagues access development opportunities – for example, work-related conferences, training and events – by enabling them to claim back additional caring costs for dependents.

Funding for the Conference and Training Care Fund will come from existing Faculty and Department staff development budgets. Costs are claimed via the usual Concur expenses claims route, after initial authorisation from your Head of School/Line Manager in advance of the expense being incurred.

Funding will be approved where there is payment to a third party in relation to the additional cost of care. This could be a registered home or respite care, registered nursery or child minder. All arrangements must be outside of your normal care provision. Please note that the fund does not cover the cost of pet care.

All claims will need to be supported by the submission of original receipts from the registered care provider.

The University is committed to promoting equality and supporting equal opportunities for all employees across the University and this initiative has been identified as part of that ongoing commitment. The fund has been introduced as part of a range of activities taking place, which have been identified as priorities via the Athena SWAN Institutional Self-Assessment work.

Full guidelines are available on the HR website, along with information on how to apply, authorisation forms and further guidelines.

Contact the HR Central Support Services Team with any specific queries about the fund.