Companies in all walks of life can promise the world on paper (or screen!). But how do you really know what a care services company is really like and how do you find the right fit for you? It’s a big decision choosing which care team to join so here are our 5 insider tips on what to look out for and pitfalls to avoid.
#1 Ensure you’re paid fairly
We know that pay isn’t the be-all and end-all in your role as a Care Assistant but it’s important you’re paid fairly for the important work you do. Make sure that the rates of pay advertised with the job title are actually what you’ll receive in your pay packet.
Companies can make their pay rates overly complex so what you get at the end of the month isn’t what you were expecting. For example, companies may exclude time spent at induction, travelling between clients, waiting time or mileage from your pay. So always double check exactly what is included.
Your time is precious, and you deserve to be paid fairly for it.
It’s also worth checking if the company is a Living Wage Employer. This means they voluntarily pay the Real Living Wage which is higher than the government minimum – they believe their team deserves a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work so it’s a good sign if they’ve committed to this.
Our competitive rates are transparent. They stay the same whether you’re on a visit, waiting, travelling, training or at a work meeting. We pay you for realistic travel time and real mileage calculations rather than a standard number of miles for each visit. That way you know exactly what is going to be in your pay packet at the end of the month. We show you every detail so that nothing is hidden, and you can have confidence in the accuracy of your pay. We’re also proud to be a Living Wage Employer paying above the Real Living Wage to all our fantastic carers.
“Being paid the real living wage makes me feel valued as a carer and that my work is really appreciated! Being able to afford my car finance was something I could never do where I worked before being paid the minimum wage. With Abney & Baker I can drive a reliable car and still manage to save for a house.”
#2 Ask about training & development
As a care worker you’re at the front line – working with clients care needs, sharing the company’s values and helping them grow. Investing in you is one of the most important things they can do. Always make sure there is an active training and development programme in place for you to develop your skills and broaden your experience.
We offer an extensive training and development programme. Whether it's carrying out assessments and reviews with clients’ and loved ones, training and supervising other team members or learning support worker specialist skills, we'll support you fully. During your probation period, you’ll receive a thorough induction programme and complete your Care Certificate, all paid at the same working rate. We also offer a self-led learning scheme to support you in your personal development. You’ll have a range of QCF Diploma in Health and Social Care courses available to take at a time that suits you.
“It doesn’t matter if have background in care as Abney & Baker are great at ‘taking you through the ropes’. You don’t need a long list of qualifications, just need the right attitude.”
#3 Ensure you can achieve a good work-life balance
Ending the day feeling completely wiped out isn’t healthy for your body or mind and means you’ll have no quality time or energy to spend with family and friends or do other things you enjoy. This gets worse when you’re expected to cover shifts at the last minute or are made to feel guilty when you can’t. Work shouldn’t get in the way of you enjoying living, a job should give you the means and flexibility to be able to do just that. So, make sure you ask the question about how realistically flexible your rota hours are and what the expectations are about covering shifts.
We arrange full time or part time realistic hours with you that fit around your life, so you can get the balance right. We meticulously plan ahead of time. By building in realistic driving time and allowing a minimum of half an hour per visit, you can spend relaxed, quality time with clients without rushing. And, while we may offer extra hours, we’ll never expect you to do more than you’ve agreed to. Real people’s lives aren’t all plain sailing and unexpected things happen, such as your child being ill off school, so we’ll be as flexible as we can to help you out. We recognise that you’re only human and have a life outside of work which we respect and value people’s well-being.
“I’ve got a brilliant balance between life and work now which I never had before and is so important to me with three kids to think about as well.”
#4 Check out current client and employee reviews
Care provider companies can paint a very rosy picture of what it’s like to work with them but reviews from current clients and carers speak for themselves and often show the real picture. Take a look on sites like homecare.co.uk for independent client reviews to see what care they’re receiving is really like. Also, check out job sites like Glassdoor and Indeed to read reviews from current carers to see what it’s really like to work there.
We’re proud of our 5* reviews on GlassDoor and 4.8* reviews on Indeed. Plus, we won the coveted Top 20 Award for Home Care Group on homecare.co.uk for high rated independent client reviews this year.
“Since starting at Abney and Baker I have not had one complaint, they have been brilliant support and I truly recommend working for them. The company as a whole is just perfect, you’re not rushed, the pay is brilliant and I just love being a part of their team.”
#5 Check the company’s values fit with your own
There’s no point working at a company where you don’t believe in their values or they don’t match your own. Read their ‘about us’ section on their website and do some digging around about the reason the company started, what they believe in, their main driving force, the founder etc.
We’re all here for the same reason – to help our clients lead an independent and happy life in their own home not a nursing home or a residential care home. We’re a close-knit high quality team who are passionate about the work we do and support each other every day.
Our team is a mix of people who’ve come into the profession with different levels of experience and from different backgrounds. Care isn’t a one-size-fits-all job, but we do all have things in common: patience, kindness and empathy.
“It feels like one big family, they’ve got my back and are only a phone call away. It just feels ‘right’.”
We look for people who share our 3 simple values:
Do the right thing
Do the best job you can
Show everyone you care
If you think we may be the right fit for you pop over to the application form.
We’d love to hear from you.
Join the home care company that looks after you.
We’re committed to taking care of what matters to you, so you can make a real difference to the lives of our clients.
Call 0333 043 4880 or email enquiries@abneyandbaker.com