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Together for Children - Sunderland - Benefits and rewards

Benefits of working for TFC

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

• 26 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days after years.
• Ability to purchase additional annual leave via salary sacrifice scheme
• Flexi Time scheme offering two days flexible leave per accounting period (pro rata for part time).
• Maternity / pregnant parent support / adoption leave up to to 52 weeks leave of absence, with pay for a specified period dependant upon length of service and personal choice. Up to five days leave as a partner / carer at the time of the birth or adoption.
• Paternity / non pregnant parent leave up to 5 days after the birth of the child.
• Fostering support leave 10 days paid time off in any 12 month period (subject to length of service)
• Membership of the Vivup Employee Benefits portal.

In addition to our benefits package, we also offer support to employees in the form of:-
• Employee Induction scheme welcoming you into the Company.
• Comprehensive health & wellbeing programme
• A free, confidential and independent face to face counselling service through the Occupational Health Service
• Reasonable adjustments and / or redeployment where practical for employees requiring support after illness or due to a disability.
• A domestic abuse policy to ensure support and advice is available to anyone who needs it.

- Local Government Pension Scheme
The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is a key part of TfC’s pay and reward package for non-teaching employees. The key features of the scheme are highlighted on the LGPS website. Members can also visit the Tyne and Wear Pension Fund for information about their pension at https://www.twpf.info/

- Teachers’ Pension Scheme
The Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) is a key part of TfC’s pay and reward package for those employees employed on school teachers’ pay and conditions (STPCD). For further information about the scheme and for information about their pension, teachers should visit the TPS website.

- AVC Wise
Sunderland City Council and Together for Children are working with AVC Wise to facilitate this cost-efficient benefit for member of the LGPS to help them look forward to a more comfortable retirement. AVC Wise have a team of experts who will help you understand the benefits of paying Shared Cost AVCs and how you can potentially retire early or with more money.
Please note: AVC Wise is not available to members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

- Car lease scheme
NHS Fleet Solutions provides an excellent car lease scheme for TfC, SCAS and Sunderland City Council employees. The car lease scheme provides a cost-effective way to lease a new car via salary sacrifice or net pay. No deposit is required and the cost is fixed for the duration of the lease. The monthly cost includes:
• Insurance
• Routine servicing
• Road tax
• Tyre replacement
• Breakdown cover
• Windscreen replacement cover
Please note: TfC employees employed on school teachers’ terms and conditions of employment are currently excluded by the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) from having access to salary sacrifice car schemes.

- Cycle to work scheme
TfC employees can apply for the cycle to work scheme to acquire cycles and equipment through Cycle Solutions, up to the value of £2,500, which you repay via salary sacrifice over 12 months.
The scheme is very easy – simply register on Cycle Solutions and decide on the bike/equipment you wish to acquire either on the website or from a high street supplier.

- Discounted Travel
A range of schemes are available to help to reduce the cost of travel to and from your workplace including for use on rail, bus and metro travel.
There are now ten Nissan LEAF pool cars available for business use by TfC, SCAS and Sunderland City Council employees.

- Support with childcare costs
Government help is available with childcare costs for parents, through childcare choices

- Everyone Active discounted membership
Everyone Active offer TfC employees a discounted membership which includes access to the gym, swimming pool and exercise classes at Everyone Active Sunderland sites, including:
• Sunderland Aquatic Centre
• Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre
• Washington Leisure Centre
• Raich Carter Sports Centre
• Hetton Community Pool and Wellness Centre
• Houghton Sports and Wellness Centre
In addition, membership provides access to the sauna and steam room at Washington Leisure Centre and Hetton Community Pool and Wellness Centre.

- BetterPoints
Sunderland City Council, TfC and SCAS have teamed up with BetterPoints, an app that tracks your travel movements via GPS using your smartphone and rewards you with points for using more sustainable modes of transport like walking, cycling and using public transport. Points can then be exchanged for rewards such as discounts in local shops, free coffees, vouchers or charity donations. For more information, visit the BetterPoints webpage here. https://sunderland.betterpoints.uk/

- Blue Light Card
Blue Light Card is the UK’s largest discount service for people working in the NHS, emergency services, social care sector and armed forces – providing members with amazing discounts online and on the high street. For just £4.99, members can register for two years to access more than 15,000 discounts from large national retailers and local businesses, with discounts on fashion, insurance, phones, days out, holidays, cars and more! TfC employees can register at www.bluelightcard.co.uk.

- ATG Local Heroes - Discounted theatre tickets
ATG’s Local Heroes discount offers up to 25% off shows across the country exclusively for teachers, social care workers, prison officers, armed forces and ‘blue light’ professionals and Max Card holders. For the full list of eligible job roles and to access discounted tickets please visit go to ATG Local Heroes

- Company Shop
The Company Shop Group is the UK’s leading redistributor of surplus food and household products. The members only Sunderland store is located on the Pattinson North Industrial Estate, NE38 8QA. TfC employees are eligible for free membership of Company Shop. For further information please visit the Company Shop website at www.companyshopgroup.co.uk/membership

- Civil Service Sports Council
CSSC is a not-for-profit organisation who provide sports, leisure offers, member benefits and discounts to a growing community of over 150,000 members working within the civil service & public sector organisations. For £54.00 a year or £4.50 a month, members get free access to English Heritage sites as well as 1000's of family experiences, supermarket and shopping discounts, fitness, education, gyms, home entertainment and exclusive member benefits. Member discounts include family days out at popular attractions nationwide, as well as everyday savings both online and in-store. For more information visit the CSSC website here. https://store.cssc.co.uk/
Get In Touch
Together for Children - Sunderland
The City Hall
Sunderland
Tyne and Wear
SR1 3AA