Southeastern has become the first train operator to offer leave to kinship carers so that when a child’s parents cannot care for them, there is a relative or close family friend willing to look after them full-time or most of the time.

The term kinship carers refers to the child coming from the family of a relative or close family friend.

Southeastern’s initiative is part of its wider commitment to support its workforce throughout Kent, East Sussex, and London.

The kinship carers policy was introduced as a result of a suggestion from a colleague who had become a kinship carer, and the announcement by Southeastern coincides with this week being National Carer’s Week.

Current estimates show that more than 180,000 children are currently being raised in kinship care in England.

By its nature, the need for kinship care often happens unexpectedly, with many kinship carers stepping up in time of crisis.

All of Southeastern’s workforce of about 4,500 people who find themselves in the situation of being a kinship carer will qualify as an entitlement to Kinship Care Leave.

That will provide them with the time and flexibility they need to adjust their life to their new circumstances.

Kinship care is just one of several initiatives by which Southeastern supports colleagues. These include free travel for domestic abuse survivors, and the ‘Rail to Refuge’ scheme’.

The company is now recruiting more staff and information about current vacancies can be found over on their website by clicking here.

Our guidance is the gold standard of kinship friendly employers. It offers people the financial security of knowing they can take some time off to bond and adjust with the new young person in their life and know that their job is still there.

But more importantly it acknowledges the kinship carer and the sacrifices they are making. We are seen, which is priceless.

I’d like my colleagues to know that if they find themselves in my position, it’s frightening at times but you’re not alone. It may seem like it, but there are lots of us and we are always here to help.

Mel Marnell, a kinship carer who works at Greenwich station

Southeastern is committed to the wellbeing of our employees, customers and the communities we serve.

A colleague who became a kinship carer spotted the gap in our existing support and we realised there was more we could be doing to support those going through this.

It is not a legal requirement for us to provide this support, but it’s the right thing to do for our people and we are proud to be the first UK rail operator to offer this.

Steve Foster, Southeastern’s People Director