Which UK law firms offer backup childcare as an employee benefit?

Bubble works with Magic Circle law firms and a range of other leading UK law firms, as well as professional services firms across consulting, financial services and technology. The legal sector has been an early and enthusiastic adopter of backup childcare as a benefit, given the demands that deal-driven work places on employees with caring responsibilities.

How does backup childcare work as an employer benefit?

Employers partner with a provider like Bubble and fund a set number of hours per employee per year. Employees access the benefit via an app, booking a vetted carer directly when their normal childcare arrangements break down. The employer is billed monthly for hours used. There is no technical integration required - employees register with their work email and the benefit is available immediately.

What does backup childcare actually cost a law firm?

The cost has two components: an annual service fee based on headcount, and a monthly invoice for care hours actually used. Research from Boston Consulting Group shows that retaining even 1% of eligible employees because of the benefit is typically enough to cover the cost of providing it to the whole eligible workforce.

Is backup childcare relevant beyond childcare - can it cover school holidays?

Yes. Bubble for Work includes the option for employers to extend the benefit beyond in-home backup care to cover holiday clubs and regular nursery or childminder backup through a reimbursement programme. This is particularly relevant for law firms whose employees have school-age children.

How quickly can a solicitor book a sitter through Bubble?

On average, eight carers apply to every job posted on Bubble, and care can be arranged with less than 30 minutes' notice. That speed is central to the benefit's value in a legal context - when a transaction requires someone to stay late or travel unexpectedly, the childcare solution needs to be just as fast as the work demand.