Our Social Enterprises
Employers For Childcare comprises a Social Enterprise and a registered charity. 100% of the profits from our Social Enterprise businesses – a Childcare Voucher company and High Rise (an indoor family adventure centre) are invested into our charity. As a charity, our aim is to make it easier for parents with dependent children to get into work and to stay in work. We address childcare as a labour market and economic issues, as well as a social one.
What is a Social Enterprise?
Social Enterprises are businesses that trade to alleviate social problems, improve communities and enhance people’s life chances. They make money from selling goods and services in an open market, but they reinvest their profits back into the business or the local community to maximise social impact and to create social change. They do this in lots of different ways: creating jobs for people who may be marginalised, reinvesting profits in community projects or charitable work, protecting the environment, or providing vital services for people who might not get them otherwise.
Chris Addison & Michael Sheen explain...
Watch this short video from Chris Addison and Michael Sheen for a comprehensive, simple and fun explanation of what social enterprises are, how they are part of an inspirational sector making a positive difference to people and the environment, and how they differ from charities and traditional businesses.
What is Social Enterprise podcast
As part of the Social Enterprise NI podcast series, Marie Marin, Chief Executive of Employers For Childcare explains what we do and why we are proud to be a Social Enterprise as well as highlighting the role of our charity, including the Family Benefits Advice Service and the social value that we create as an organisation.
Employers For Childcare as a Social Enterprise
Our Social Enterprise, Employers For Childcare Trading, provides a range of services:
Childcare Vouchers
We operate the only Social Enterprise Childcare Voucher company in the UK which benefits:
- working parents: who save money on childcare costs
- employers: through savings on Employer’s National Insurance Contributions, reduced absenteeism, and increased staff motivation/productivity
- families across the UK: our charity (funded through our Social Enterprise activities), advises parents on what financial support they are entitled to, and lobbies policymakers on their behalf.
While Childcare Vouchers closed to new entrants on 4 October 2018, existing users who have already registered for Childcare Vouchers, can continue to use the scheme, as long as they remain eligible. For further details on this, contact our Family Benefits Advice Service on 028 9267 8200. Employers can also choose to switch their Childcare Voucher provider company – if you are interested in buying social, why not find out more about making the switch. Remember, it doesn’t cost you anything but benefits families across the UK!
High Rise
High Rise is our newest Social Enterprise business – an adventure centre in Lisburn featuring a Clip ‘n Climb arena with 24 thrilling indoor climbing challenges, a soft play area, two state of the art sensory rooms, meeting rooms, café and Changing Places toilet. The centre has been designed to be inclusive and accessible including for those with additional needs and we have attained the prestigious Autism NI Impact Award in recognition of the ways we support our guests with autism. As a Social Enterprise, 100% of the profits from High Rise are invested in Employers For Childcare’s charity, so every visit helps us to continue our vital work of supporting parents to get into and stay in work.
For more information about High Rise or to book a visit, go to our website or our Facebook page.
