Chamber supports working families with new childcare scheme
1st August 2013
Sheffield Chamber of Commerce is launching a new payment scheme which is designed to assist working families with the cost of childcare.
The scheme is provided by Sheffield Information Link, a leading family organisation service with more than 25 years experience in offering expert advice and support. Childcare Payment Solutions, which launches on 1 August, is an in-house scheme established to help businesses manage the process more easily and allow them make savings on tax and National Insurance contributions. Under this scheme, employees could save up to £930 per person each year on the cost of childcare and businesses could save around £400 against National Insurance contributions. Amanda Pilgrim, head of business development at Sheffield Chamber, said: -Payments to childcare providers will be managed by the employer, whilst any changes to payments will be conducted as an internal process, leaving employees with less to worry about. -The in-house scheme gives more control to businesses and costs less to run as there is no administration fee. It will help businesses with staff retention and act as an incentive for the recruitment of new employees, offering real added value to a company's salary package. All documentation is provided by Sheffield Information Link along with helpful notes and fact sheets for the employer, employee and childcare provider to simplify the joining process. Full training is provided and includes a follow-up phone support service. Cost of the scheme is based on the number of employees at a company. Sheffield Information Link can also liaise with employers to survey the workforce to ascertain demand and be tailored for the needs of the company and its members. The Childcare Payment Solutions is already working well with regional Chambers of Commerce. For more information please visit www.scci.org.uk or call Sheffield Chamber on 0114 201 8888. Meanwhile, Sheffield Chamber will be launching a new Client Record Management (CRM) system service to members in the autumn. The service will allow businesses to use a cost-effective off the shelf software package to support sales and marketing activity, as well as analyse performance. More details to be announced shortly.
