Find out more about our on-campus GP surgery, Lancaster Medical Practice.
We pride ourselves on being a family-friendly university that is committed to supporting staff and students with parenting and caring responsibilities.
Family-friendly campus
In Lancaster, we have a beautiful 560-acre parkland campus with many family-friendly spaces, facilities and activities. Our campus has many accessible features and there are excellent transport links as well as parking.
Outstanding childcare
Our Pre-School Centre in Lancaster is rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted and offers daycare for the children of staff, students and local families.
Family-friendly policies
We offer a range of generous family-friendly policies for staff and students, including parental and adoption leave as well as options to purchase additional annual leave.
We recognise the demands of family life and are committed to supporting members of staff to achieve a balance between work and home life wherever possible.
We practice an agile working model which can provide flexibility around work locations where this meets operational needs.
Health and wellbeing
We actively support staff and student wellbeing. We have on-campus healthcare facilities at our Lancaster campus, and have a number of supportive staff networks.
Family-friendly features
The Lancaster University campus at Bailrigg has many family-friendly features and facilities. Scroll through the images to find out more.
Restaurants and cafes
We have many eateries on campus which serve children's meals and have high chairs for toddlers.
EatGreen spaces
You can relax and play in our green spaces. We have woodland walks, duck ponds, and open fields to enjoy.
Social spaces
There are lots of great spaces across campus to spend quality time with friends and family.
Play spaces
We have a playground on campus and lots of space for kids to explore.
The Library
Our library contains a dedicated family-friendly area and books for children of all ages.
LibraryArts and culture
There is a vibrant music and art scene in Lancaster. The Dukes in Lancaster and Lancaster Arts on campus have a variety of family-friendly shows and there are cinemas on campus and in the town centre.
Sports Centre
You can access a range of activities at our extensive on-campus sports centre, including swimming, climbing, and a range of pitches and courts.
Baby care facilities
At our Lancaster campus you will find all the facilities you expect for parents with small babies.
- We provide accessible baby changing facilities for parents of all genders.
- The university is entirely breastfeeding friendly, with no restrictions on bottle or breastfeeding on-campus. Additionally, a dedicated baby care and breastfeeding room can be found in Bowland North (room B078).
Accessible buildings and campus
Our Lancaster campus has many accessible features, such as ramps and lifts in our buildings, to help facilitate parents with young children in buggies and people with disabilities.
Many of the family-friendly locations on our campus can be found by using the 'family friendly' filter on .
To find out the most accessible routes on campus you can use . This website allows you to check for accessible toilets, lifts, and other features which will help you navigate the campus.
Transport and travel
Our Lancaster campus has a range of transport options and facilities.
We have parent and child parking at some of our facilities, and there is accessible public transport throughout the campus.
There are free short-stay parking places at our Pre-School Centre.
Our sports centre has dedicated parent and child parking spaces.
Bus travel
A comprehensive range of bus and coach services are available from campus, both to the local area and to destinations across the UK. Bus stops are available throughout campus.
Parking permits
Pregnant Lancaster University Staff and Students are able to apply for accessible parking permits.
Pre-School Centre
The Lancaster University Pre-School Centre is a warm, caring and safe environment for your child and to develop their abilities by using play and planned activities for all age ranges.
Our Pre-School Centre is rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted and offers daycare for the children of staff, students and local families.
Pre-School CentreFamily-friendly policies
Family-friendly support for staff with families
At Lancaster we have many policies and initiatives to support our staff with families.
Family-friendly support for staff with families Accordion
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Family leave
We offer generous maternity, adoption, paternity/partner, surrogacy and shared parental leave schemes so you can focus on those important first precious weeks of parenthood.
- Maternity/Birthing parent leave - up to 52 weeks leave with up to 22 weeks at full pay*
- Paternity/Partner's leave - up to 2 weeks leave with up to 2 weeks at full pay*
- Shared Parental leave - flexibility to share up to 50 weeks leave after the birth or adoption of a child with up to 20 weeks at full pay*
- Adoption leave - up to 52 weeks leave with up to 22 weeks at full pay*
- Parental leave - up to 18 weeks unpaid leave during the period ending with the child's 18th birthday
*Subject to qualifying periods of service and return to work.
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Compassionate leave
We understand that life can be tricky sometimes and urgent personal situations occur. We will work with individuals to help provide time, space and flexibility to support them through difficult times. Leave of 1-6 days will be given on an individual basis for personal situations relating to serious illness, family issues and bereavement.
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Parental and adoption research support
From 2015, as part of our commitment to Athena Swan, Lancaster University established a University-wide Parental/Adoption Research Support (PARS) Scheme (formally known as Maternity/Adoption Research Support (MARS)), to provide additional funding to help and support academic and research staff taking maternity, paternity, shared parental or adoption leave in order to prevent or minimise disruption to their research.
In 2021, the Scheme has been expanded to provide an opportunity for academic and research staff to utilise PARS funding on return from their period of leave, to ensure continuity of research and adjustment from the break.
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Flexible Benefits
The university offers a range of family-friendly Flexible Benefits including:
- Family dental insurance packages
- Childcare salary sacrifice scheme for the University Pre-School
- Accessible parking permits
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Wellbeing and Employee Assistance
Lancaster University’s success depends on the talented, creative and committed people who work hard to make this University so special and distinctive. The University makes a range of professional support available to our staff, including through the Employee Assistance Programme, and some of the help available is shown on our Staff wellbeing pages.
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Work/life balance
Lancaster University is committed to supporting opportunities for our staff to achieve a balance between work and home life where possible.
- Our staff receive 39 days off a year which includes university closure days at Easter and Christmas and bank holidays (pro-rated for part-time staff).
- We recognise the importance of a work-life balance and that the ability to work flexibly can provide an effective way for staff to manage the responsibilities of work and home, including caring responsibilities, dealing with health issues, disability or preparation for retirement. All requests will be fairly considered. All employees with 26 weeks continuous service can apply for flexible working.
- Opportunities to purchase up to two weeks additional annual leave per year.
Family-friendly support for students with families
Lancaster University has dedicated policies and information pages for both current and prospective students who have families.
Family-friendly support for students with families Accordion
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Parental leave
The University provides support and guidance to students who wish to take maternity leave, paternity/maternity support leave, shared parental leave or adoption leave. Postgraduate research students may be entitled to paid maternity/adoption/parental support leave.
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Parents and carers
The University provides support and guidance to students who are parents or carers such as family friendly study spaces, bursaries, and Individual Learning Support Plans.
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Wellbeing
Lancaster has a range of specialist support services that work in partnership with academic departments and colleges to offer support to our students.
Health and wellbeing
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Find out more about our on-campus pharmacy.
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Student wellbeing
If you are experiencing problems that are affecting your studies or general wellbeing, we are here to help.
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Staff wellbeing
Our success depends on the wellbeing of the talented, creative and committed people who work hard to make this University so special and distinctive.
Connect with other parents and carers
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Staff networks
Our staff networks include the Parents and Carers Network, and the Women،¯s Network Teams pages (who also have a pregnancy channel).
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Lancaster University Students' Union has a number of societies and forums available to Lancaster University students, including the Postgraduate and Mature Students Forum.
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The Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy is a multi-faith worship centre that also offers pastoral, emotional and wellbeing support.
Local facilities and support for families
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School admissions, term dates and other vital information about schools in Lancashire.
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Payment if you are responsible for bringing up a child.
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Information on childcare and Children and Family Wellbeing Services.
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A guide to clubs and groups in the local area.
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Children's activities across the county.
Help our research into child development
How does it come about that within the first few years of life, babies learn to understand the world around them? How do babies master language? Lancaster Babylab, based in the Department of Psychology, works at answering those questions.
We are always looking to recruit families who might be interested in taking part in our research.
Lancaster Babylab