Abacare launches ‘care for skills’ campaign
FOLLOWING a report for the Welsh Government about boosting recruitment and retention of domiciliary workers a care provider has launched a campaign to highlight the benefits of a job in care (September, 2016).
Abacare says caring is a career for people with qualifications despite the unfounded perception of the profession being unskilled.
Sue Richardson, Operations Executive and carer at Abacare, which has recently been awarded a large provision to provide domiciliary care in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil, said: “Care work is often portrayed as an undervalued profession and something people go into if they don’t have any qualifications but this isn’t the case at all, which is why we are launching our ‘care for skills’ campaign so people understand the benefits of a job in the care sector.
“We provide all our employees with a comprehensive training schedule, which includes a company induction, dementia awareness, enablement, first aid, health and safety, food safety, infection control, medication, person centred care and moving and handling service users.
“We also offer the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF), formerly known as National Vocational Qualifications, to all our team members who show commitment, reliability and true passion. We provide a great support network for all of our carers.”
Abacare operates a professional Care Management Team that is committed to providing high quality care to individuals in their own homes.
The large team of trained, specialist, care workers provide positive based outcomes and person centred care to people throughout the UK.
Sue added: “A recent report by Manchester Metropolitan University for the Welsh Government recommends care workers are well-trained, well-paid and secure with regards working patterns and that they have good contracts, with minimal use of zero hour ones.
“We whole heartedly agree with all these recommendations. They are initiatives that we already have in place but are keen to develop further and we want to help boost the image and perception of the care industry, and to attract younger workers into the sector, which is fast becoming woefully under resourced.”
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 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 was awarded an Investors in People accolade for its staff training and development for the fourth year running.
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.
Staff at the care agency were assessed to ensure the organisation met the requirements of the standard.
Sue continued: “We have a variety of social care worker vacancies and live-in positions for people in Wales looking for a career in the care industry. People looking for a change in career are also welcome to put themselves forward as previous experience isn’t necessary.
“We are fighting against the current economic climate and are filling more positions than ever across the region. This is a great opportunity for those looking for a completely new and exciting opportunity to work in this very rewarding role.
“Being a social care worker is a really satisfying job and gives people the opportunity to carve a career for themselves.”
Abacare is looking for kind, committed and reliable people, who have excellent communication skills and a genuine care for others.
Sue continued: “Being reliable is key to this role as people will be looking after the needs of vulnerable adults. Applicants also need to be even tempered and caring and must enjoy making a positive difference to people’s lives.
“Being patient, able to cope with change and having the ability to display empathy and warmth are also essential.”
For more information about Abacare, please call 01685 848603 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.
