BBC Studios rolls out support for working parents

BBC Studios, the programming division of the BBC behind the likes of Strictly Come Dancing and A Question of Sport, has announced it is enhancing provisions for its working parents.

The organisation has partnered with parental support provider, Parent Cloud, to give around 2,500 employees access to online and face-to-face resources. These cover topics ranging from child behaviour, infant sleep, therapy and career coaching, to mental health and antenatal/postnatal coaching.

The full roll-out comes on the back of a successful pilot it ran back in November last year, which was offered to staff to specifically help the many parents working within the organisation who have been affected by the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

According to Karen Taylor, founder of Parent Cloud, the pandemic has seen a sea-change in the types of help parents need.

She said: “We seen huge demand for child behavioural support and sleep advice, as the toll of lockdowns and home schooling have taken their toll.”

Employees will have unlimited access to sessions delivered by a network of 25 specialists, working in everything from child development to fertility. BBC employees will be able to access fertility support through Parent Cloud partner, The Wellness Cloud.

Taylor added: “The roll-out has only just happened, so it’s too early yet to gauge support, but communications are supporting the launch, including making the point that the benefit isn’t just for women, but for men too.”

Parent Cloud will now be rolled out across all BBC Studios offices globally.