London,
01
September
2016
|
12:15
Europe/London

Camden’s Flexible Working Journey

Camden approached flexible working with the joint ambitions of alleviating inequality, and responding to the financial challenge of central government cuts.

Within Camden, health problems and child poverty are significant factors in continuing inequality. Flexible working options enable parents and those with additional barriers to access the labour market and address the drivers of inequality.

The Council has opened up the process for discussing flexible working arrangements at the point of application, with more applicants than ever feeling confident in doing so (47% in 2015). The Council has also piloted a programme of part-time parental apprenticeships with local employers and is working with a number of providers to support individuals with health conditions into quality flexible roles.

With central government cuts to our finances of approximately 50% by 2017/18, flexible working offers innovative means to balance our budget and change the way we work. Camden’s Agile agenda, centred on our relocation to 5 Pancras Square, has reduced running costs, enabled staff to work more collaboratively and effectively, and encouraged greater levels of home working.

Our aim is to be flexible in where and how we work; making it easier for our community to access and receive our services and allowing staff more opportunity to work flexibly while still delivering outcomes for the Council.