VNJ Volume 38 (5) October 2023 | Page 12

Table 2 . Summary of the number of hours of free childcare available to families in the UK outlined in the Spring Budget 2023 [ 12 ] .

Age of child 9 – 23 months 2 years 3 – 4 years

Eligible families can apply for tax-free childcare , which is a scheme that grants the family a 20 % top-up on any money they pay into their tax-free childcare account to pay for a registered childcare provider . This scheme can be used until the child ' s 11th birthday . It cannot be used to pay family or friends for childcare .

At the time of writing , 15 hours of free childcare by a registered provider are available to all children aged 3 – 4 years , regardless of household income , and eligible families can apply for 30 hours ( Table 2 ) [ 11 ] .

Factors affecting staff retention

HM Treasury [ 12 ] detailed reforms to childcare funding in the Spring Budget 2023 , giving additional help to those with children under the age of 3 years . By September 2025 , all children of eligible families should be able to claim 30 hours of free childcare from the age of 9 months up to 4 years . This is to be introduced in phases , as shown in Table 2 . It is clear that this scheme is designed to help people get back into work and is a welcome relief from some of the strain of childcare costs . It is expected to have a positive impact on the veterinary profession , but other barriers remain that are likely to prevent the return of skilled staff . and close at around 17:30 – 18:00 . These times are prohibitive for staff members who are expected to work a 12-hour shift from 08:00 to 20:00 or similar . There are many families who do not have close support or casual childcare available to them . If both parents work , this challenge is exacerbated .

Practices can bolster their staffing levels by offering more part-time roles and job shares , shorter or split shifts that are more in line with nursery hours , or by offering their own subsidised crèche .

The Spring Budget 2023 has the potential to positively influence the veterinary profession – but only if practices are willing to be open-minded about the pay , shifts and benefits they offer , as many skilled staff with families are likely to be prevented from working by issues relating to these factors . The childcare gap between the end of maternity / parental leave and the child ' s third birthday is finally being addressed by the government but there is still work to be done by employers .

Our profession has long been known to have high suicide rates , high levels of burnout and long working hours . Unfortunately , unless people have a good support network around them , these factors are still likely to be a deterrent to staying in or returning to work . Many practices now have a keen focus on employee wellbeing , offering schemes such as private healthcare , ‘ Free Fruit Fridays ‘, on-site gyms and quiet areas . However , it is still common for veterinary staff to be asked to work upwards of 10 hours per day as standard , which is not sustainable .

Government help with childcare costs will be an influential factor in many people with families considering a return to work – but the hours of that work will also be an important consideration . Most nurseries and childminders open at around 07:30 – 08:00

12 Veterinary Nursing Journal