UCU resources and support

UCU can help with a range of issues relating to your work

Go to the UCU Resources pages for all UCU policies: https://www.ucu.org.uk/policyhub 

Visit the National UCU Support Centre to find answers to many frequently asked questions relating to membership, employment or the legal scheme.

UCU Legal scheme

Go to https://www.ucu.org.uk/legal for details on the UCU legal scheme.

Key points:

The scheme covers employment rights, personal injury (including workplace stress), police enquiries and immigration employment advice.

It excludes defamation, representation by your own legal advisers, where your interests are in conflict with UCU’s, and to bring legal action against UCU.

You must be a member of UCU whose subscriptions are up to date. Unless you joined UCU at the earliest opportunity you may be asked to pay a year’s subscription in order to receive legal services. Advice will not be provided about matters which occurred when you were not a member.

UCU will not meet legal costs it has not specifically authorised.

See the website for further details and documents: https://www.ucu.org.uk/legal

Claiming Tax Relief on UCU subscriptions

UCU members are entitled to offset a proportion of subscriptions paid against tax. For details, please visit the UCU national website.

Education Support Partnership

The Education Support Partnership is a charity that offers support services to all staff in further and higher education and their families, including:

  • Counselling on personal and workplace issues.
  • One-to-one coaching via a secure email system.
  • Information, advice and support resources on topics such as: well-being, work-life balance, workload problems, stress management, coping with bereavement, and dealing with difficult people.
  • Financial assistance: a needs-based grants and loans programme.
  • Money management advice: individually tailored strategies to address financial difficulties, restructure debt and secure benefits.
  • Signposting to other relevant organisations.

All these services can be accessed:

Through the  24/7 telephone support line on 08000 562 561 (freephone).