Section 3: Discretionary benefits

Barnardo’s benefits

There is a section on Inside Barnardo’s dedicated to Barnardo’s optional benefits - it includes eligibility criteria, details of the application windows and FAQs. To take advantage of these benefits please register here. These benefits include:

Family focused

Childcare Vouchers (Childcareplus)

This scheme allows you to use your own pre-school and out of school provider at a reduced cost. Please note due to recent HMRC changes imposed since October 2018, only those already on the scheme can continue with it.

The Childcare Vouchers scheme has been replaced with Tax-Free Childcare, details of the scheme can be found on www.gov.uk

Work life balance

Leave buying scheme	When the application window is open (usually mid-Feb to mid-March), eligible colleagues are able to apply to purchase up to five days of extra annual leave (pro-rata for part time colleagues).
Travel season ticket loan	Barnardo’s colleagues can apply for an interest free loan covering the cost of Zone 1-4 season ticket to travel to work on the London Underground, DLR and Overground.

Promoting health and wellbeing

Health cash plans

Barnardo’s offer two schemes (Birmingham Hospital Saturday Fund (BHSF) and Medicash) so that colleagues can choose the arrangement that best fits their personal circumstances.

With a health cash plan colleagues can claim cash towards dental check-ups and treatment, eyesight tests, new glasses, contact lenses and therapy treatments such as physiotherapy and chiropody.

Colleagues can also claim cash reimbursements up to an annual limit for routine and emergency healthcare.

Eyesight testing and spectacles – work with Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

DSE (i.e. computers) users are entitled to an eyesight test at regular intervals or if they experience visual problems related to the use of display screens. If spectacles are prescribed for DSE use only, Barnardo’s will contribute towards the cost.

Cycle to Work Scheme

Eligible colleagues can purchase a bike and/or cycling equipment to the value of up to £1,000 on a tax efficient basis for the purpose of travelling to and from work.

Supporting you and helping you grow

Employee Assistance Programme

The employee assistance programme (EAP) scheme is a confidential 24/7 service offering all colleagues, partners and dependants the opportunity to obtain information, help and advice on a wide range of topics including, health and wellbeing, financial and legal issues and personal or work issues. There are a number of tools that colleagues can access including:

Health Assured website – comprehensive online resource
Online health and wellbeing module to create a health and lifestyle plan
Telephone legal information
Telephone health and wellbeing support
Telephone or face to face counselling
Telephone, online or face to face Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Medical Information Service:

Operated by registered nurses, who can offer information on a range of medical or health related issues as well as providing practical and emotional support. The service is available Monday to Friday 9 am to 5pm, with a call back within 2 hours. Outside of these hours, should medical information be needed straight away, the caller will be connected to a UK based, GMC registered doctor.

Discounts and savings

Barnardo’s Benefits Discount Portal

Barnardo’s offers its colleagues a discounts portal with a great range of discounts on numerous products and services, including travel bookings, high street vouchers, gift cards, cinema tickets, days out, leisure activities and day to day spending.