Leading the Way
You First has some of the best terms and conditions for Support Workers in Somerset and this flows from our philosophy that recognises consistency and continuity are vital component of genuine person-centred support. People are not going to experience their expressed outcomes if staff throughput is at a high level. Ensuring that Support Workers are reasonably rewarded and valued inspires commitment and dedication as well as motivation.
Support Workers are paid £9.00 an hour from the start of their contract, and this rises to £9.35 upon completion of their six-month probation. This includes fulfilling the Care Certificate and any specific training relating to the individuals they support.
Weekends are paid at £9.50 and Waking Night Staff are paid £10.50 an hour.
Trevor Holmes, Director, said:
“this obviously means our margins are tight, but if we are serious about people building and growing their lives then we have to invest in staff appropriately in order to facilitate this.”
The ability to reward Support Workers in this way is a personal commitment of You First CEO Andy Robinson. Andy says:
“Everyone knows that staff turnover within social care is at an unacceptably high level. This is a result of several things, not least chronic underfunding from central Government and an apparent inability to tackle what is widely referred to as a “social care crisis”. In my view what this lack of central action affords is an opportunity for providers to really examine their business model and to ask how and why they deliver services. Many providers have an inordinate number of Managers and Directors on the payroll when what really matters is the quality of front-line staff. Investing in and valuing staff is inextricably linked to quality outcomes for people. Investing in the workforce through the implementation of lean approaches and a flat structure means that resources can be redistributed and for a Social Enterprise like You First this means reinvesting in the business itself. Quality staff facilitate quality outcomes.”
Nathalie John, Director of Operations said: “this is incredibly exciting and innovative. We are looking at creating genuine Self-Managed Micro-Teams as this keeps decision making as close to the person as possible which in turn makes person-centred support a reality and we are actively involving the staff themselves in this process via Locality Meetings and through our Staff Board. The Senior Management Team are fully behind this and I am thrilled be part of such a creative organisation that genuinely wants to see vulnerable people empowered and in charge of their lives.”
For more information regarding You First call 0300 111 9999 or email Nathalie John by clicking here.
Other You First Support Services News
-
Christmas Dinner!
Christmas is often a difficult time for people who live alone. In 2020, with all the additional restrictions,...
Read More -
Somerset Care Provider Dismisses Five Staff
Seeing vulnerable people abused and dis-empowered sickens us all. There are never excuses and such behaviour...
Read More -
Team Members Rate You First Over 90%
With a Team Member satisfaction rate of over 90% you can see why people are queuing up to join our teams...
Read More -
Heathfield Farm Project
Heathfield Farm Heathfield Farm is a partnership of five organisations – Broadclyst Community...
Read More -
Family Voices
Following on from the very successful “Meet the Team” series on the You First Blog, family members...
Read More -
-
From Tragedy to Triumph
I found this photo deeply moving and this is because this one image tells an incredible story, one woman's...
Read More -
Supporting Emotional Health in a Time of Crisis
One of the key skills for anyone working in social care is emotional intelligence. It's so important that...
Read More -
Social Distancing - Easy Read
Sadly, yesterday we had to deal with a very distressed customer, who has a few hours of support a day. He had...
Read More -
COVID-19 Easy Read
There is a new virus spreading. It's name is COVID-19 but people are calling...
Read More -
COVID:19
You First has had a Business Continuity Plan in place from our inception in 2014 and this has been amended...
Read More -
Hate Crime
Don't tolerate hate crime - we all have a responsibility to call it out. Follow this link to see how...
Read More -
Mindfulness
You First is excited to announce that we have teamed up with Mindfulness UK, commissioning them to deliver...
Read More