Care firm says future for workers is flexibility
PEOPLE residing in rural areas with other commitments that might prevent them from taking up a full-time job make ideal employees says an award-winning care provider in Wales (March, 2017).
Abacare, which has offices in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) and provides care across Wales, says, to get the best from staff, offering flexible working hours, to fit around other essential activities, is key and other businesses ought to follow suit.
Peter Angelides, CEO of the award-winning care provider, said: “This is the 21st century and with the advent of the internet, social media, wifi and technology, which allows people to work anywhere at any time, it’s much easier to be flexible. But with care it has always been a 24-hour a day business and we are able to offer people hours to suit them and to fit around their other commitments. However, not many care organisations offer this and we feel it’s about time people realised that there is a whole army of workers with the right attributes out there who can do the job but want a work/life balance.
“We can offer people who work in rural areas the opportunity to become a carer in their community. We have found that there are often people living in the same small community as someone who needs care and support and who would be pleased to work for us, if only with one or two people.
“Anyone looking for work can register with us and we can let them know when work becomes available in their area. Working in a close-knit community enables a richer relationship between the carer and the person supported, as they can have more in common and can also pop in more easily.
“Where this kind of match between the person needing support and the carer can be made it also helps enormously with safety during the winter months, as locally based carers can almost always reach someone even in poor conditions such as heavy rain or snow.”
Anyone interested in working for Abacare should call the RCT office on 01443 742645 or email rctjobs@abacare.org.uk.
Peter added: “It’s not easy for people to find work that fits in with their lifestyles so it’s up to 21st century employers to offer flexibility that gives a good work life balance.
“Individuals who have busy lifestyles, another job or have to look after a family and take on the school run often think that jobs won’t be able to fit around their schedules, but we’re offering flexible working arrangements to the right candidates.
“As well as daytime work we can also offer evening opportunities or even weekends only if that is what potential candidates need.
“Caring is incredibly valuable work and our staff who have a second job with Abacare often tell us how much they gain from their work with us. Some of our carers have main jobs, which are office based, and really enjoy the chance to go out and help someone face to face and to spend time with new people. One carer said: “I care for two people in my own village and I really enjoy it, it’s very different from the work I do nine to five’.”
Abacare provides all staff with full training and shadowing before they start, and they have additional, on the job support from the team 24/7.
They are given free uniforms, access to a staff scooter scheme for those needing transport and a national staff discount scheme for all major brands as well as 28 days paid holiday, paid travel between calls and paid mileage.
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 Wales.
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 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.
It was also named Britain’s ‘Most Outstanding Care Agency’ at the UK Over 50s Housing Awards in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
For more information about Abacare, please call the RCT office on 01443 742645 or visitwww.abacare.org.uk. Alternatively, please follow the company on Facebook athttp://on.fb.me/Yn4zmS or on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/visitabacare.
