Parents to work around children thanks to returners programme
A WELSH care provider has launched a campaign this month (December, 2018) to help parents return to work after having their children.
Abacare, which has offices in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT), wants to encourage full-time parents back into the workplace with its new returners programme.
Sarah Williams, Branch Manager at Abacare, said: “We appreciate that it’s not easy for parents returning to work after having kids, so we are setting up a returners programme, not just for mums but for dads too, to help normalise the hiring of those returning to work after having children, as part of our recruitment process.
“Lots of potentially excellent candidates for the roles we have to offer in care do not feel confident enough to apply for our jobs. There are potentially hundreds or thousands of people in Wales wishing to return to work after bringing their children up who would not normally contact us about our vacancies because they are worried about the process of applying and how they will be viewed.
“We’re hoping that by having a specific, returners programme they will be encouraged to apply. Anyone who has taken time out can lack confidence as they haven’t been in a work environment often for several years. They are also concerned with how their CV will be perceived if they have career gaps. Other issues relate to childcare arrangements and flexible working.”
Abacare understands that working and looking after children can be difficult, so is offering flexible hours to potential new care staff who are returning to the workforce.
Sarah added: “As well as providing continuous care to our service users, we also always make sure our staff are looked after, so as part of our returners programme, we’re offering the opportunity for people to take on weekend or evening work.
“Weekends and evenings are our busiest times and these hours could be ideal for parents too. Our hours can fit around their childcare, as we are able to be very flexible. Anyone interested should give us a call at our RCT office on 01443 742645.”
Abacare operates a professional Care Management Team that is committed to providing high quality care to individuals in their own homes.
Its large team of trained, specialist, care workers provide positive based outcomes and person centred care to people throughout Wales but it still needs to find more staff on an on-going basis to deliver the service it provides.
“All of our office staff are extremely caring and supportive so if you’re a new mum or dad going back to work after having children, we can offer support and any advice you might need as going back to work again can be a big pressure. We can also prepare care cover for service users in case of emergencies or if you have to take time off if you or your child is unwell. We encourage our new staff to sign up to our Connect & Collect scheme, which offers childcare vouchers.”
Abacare’s core values, instilled into every staff member, include ‘make us proud’, ‘focus on our service users’ wellbeing’, ‘communicate, listen well and speak with respect’, ‘be passionate, honest, caring and considerate’, ‘recruit and develop the very best’ and ‘lead by example’.
It believes it offers inspiring work for inspirational people.
It is a member of the United Kingdom Homecare Association, Ceretas (formerly British Association of Domiciliary Care), The National Homecare Council and The Information Commissioners Office (Data Protection). It is also registered with the Care Social Services Inspectorate Wales.
Abacare has been awarded an Investors in People accolade for its staff training and development.
Investors in People is a national standard, which provides a framework that helps organisations to improve performance and realise objectives through the effective management and development of their staff.
For more information about Abacare, please call the RCT office on 01443 742645 or visit www.abacare.org.uk. Alternatively, please follow the company on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/Yn4zmS or on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/visitabacare.
