equal care and support worker
We are recruiting experienced care and support workers in the Calder Valley to offer support in people's homes.
We have two routes open to care and support workers wishing to join us: independent or employed. Currently, the independent route is the quickest, simplest route into delivering care and support with Equal Care, and the option that offers the most flexibility and choice. A comparison of the two routes is offered in the job description that follows.
About you
You are not a “one-size-fits-all” person - you bring your individuality, interests and experience to the way you give support - this is what makes support relationships so special.
You collaborate with others and aren't afraid to act on your own initiative. If you can see something that needs fixing, you won't walk on by, you'll fix it!
You hold yourself accountable for your words and actions. Everyone makes mistakes. You're good at saying sorry and moving on. You're good at kindly and mindfully holding others to account (or willing to learn).
You can say no (or ask for help to say it!). You can identify and hold your own boundaries. You can hear and respect the boundaries of others.
You're okay with working on computers and writing stuff down.
You care about your own wellbeing.
There is one value we ask everyone in our community to bring and to uphold: mutual care for one another. This is Equal Care.
Requirements
- You have worked as a care and support professional for at least one year or you have clear evidence of transferable skills from another role.
- You can provide excellent references: one from your previous/current employer and one from somebody you have supported directly (but not a family member).
- You hold a relevant qualification, with the Care Certificate as a minimum.
- You have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check within the last six months or are happy for us to apply for you to have one.
- You can give good examples of times when you have given and received feedback, enabling others to learn and change their practice and doing the same yourself (open heart, open mind).
- You are willing to learn about co-operative ways of working and Equal Care's model of support, which is different to normal agencies.
About the work
The role will involve:
- Giving care and support to people in their own homes and in the wider community, participating as a member of their ‘Team', which is owned by them.
- Working within your Teams, holding nominated roles (“hats”) within each one depending on the Team, your experience and relationships with the Team Owner and/or their Advocate. These change from team to team.
- Where possible and where appropriate, giving people the opportunities, confidence and support to help others themselves.
- It may involve live-in care and support, plus sleeping and waking nights (this is by consent and prior agreement with you only, it is not an expected or required part of the role)
- Participating in co-op circle meetings with other circle members and carrying out any roles and tasks emerging from those meetings.
- Talk about any concerns you notice or hear from others directly within your teams and raise any safeguarding worries, contributing to being part of the solution and problem-solving as much as you feel able to
You will also need to participate in at least one of the activities below which will have training provided:
- Participating in recruitment for new independent and employed care and support workers.
- Meeting new people looking for support and welcoming them into Equal Care, enabling them to build the Team they want.
- Responding to concerns and following up to solve problems.
- Offering peer support, mentoring and training to other workers.
the details
Location
Throughout the Calder Valley, including Halifax, Sowerby Bridge, Hebden Bridge and Todmorden, plus the surrounding villages and countryside. Our office is based in the Birchcliffe Centre in Hebden Bridge and you will need to visit from time to time.
Hours
The basic hours for employed staff are 37.5 hours per week and our employed roles all involve either alternating or regular weekends with some evenings, and we are open to both full and part time employment in this role.
Fixed hours and times you will work are agreed as part of building your employment contract together. We want your hours to fit in with your life commitments and we understand these are different for everybody.
Independent roles offer more flexibility: care and support workers have far more choice over the hours they work and can build a work schedule that fits in with other commitments.
Salary
All full-time, employed roles currently available have a starting salary of £21,255 per year. This may include some out of hours work, but we will discuss with you what works.
The employed rate works out at £10.90 per hour and is a lot higher than many agencies because they don't include travel time and often factor in holiday allowance to the rate they advertise. We don't stop paying you just because you're going from one person's house to another and your holiday allowance is not included in the rate.
For independent care and support workers, the rate per hour is higher (variable, but usually in the region of 40% above the employed rate)
Expenses
We will cover all reasonable work related expenses monthly and reimburse you 45p per mile for your travel between appointments, paid with an increase to your salary via a change to your tax code.
Transport
At the moment we particularly need people who have their own car and a full driving license.
Holidays and Sick Pay (employed roles only)
30 paid days a year and access to sick pay.
Pension
4.5% contribution from the co-operative, which is 1.5% above statutory requirements.
Equal Care = Equal Opportunities
Equal Care is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic.
This policy applies to all employment practices within Equal Care.
We make hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and the cooperative's needs.
Independent or Employed - a brief comparison
Equal Care offers care and support workers the option to be either independent or employed, depending on their personal preferences and circumstances. Some aspects of the job, such as being part of a team, taking on Circle and Team roles, and being a Worker Member of Equal Care Co-op, apply to both options. Workers can also work extra hours and claim expenses at the end of the year, as well as deliver training and facilitate workshops.
Choice 1: Be independent!
Being an independent care and support worker is a great choice for many, and it's why we currently have around twice as many independent workers as employed workers! It's also the quickest route to delivering care and support through us, with the employment route requiring a bit more time and effort for us to facilitate.
As an independent worker, you have more say over your work, including choosing who you support, setting your own hours, and having control over your professional development.
Our current independent workers appreciate the freedom and flexibility that comes with being in charge of their own schedule, and the ability to take on work that aligns with their interests and skills. You'll have full control over what training you do to support your professional development, and you can participate in co-op work as much or as little as you like.
While your income may fluctuate from month to month, our Equal Care Bread Fund can provide a safety net during leaner periods. Plus, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you're delivering care on your own terms and making a difference in people's lives.
Choice 2: Be employed!
Being employed by Equal Care is a great option for those who prefer a more consistent working schedule and want to exchange some control over their work for a guaranteed, regular income. As an employed worker, you'll have access to the cooperative's training and support, including paid time for training and the cooperative handling your tax and mileage reimbursements.
Additionally, employed workers have less responsibility for finding cover while on holiday and a set wage and hours of work. They also receive payment for all hours worked, including travel time, and have access to sick pay.
Overall, both independent and employed options have their advantages, and we're proud to offer both to our care and support workers. We encourage all potential new team members to consider their personal preferences and circumstances when deciding which option is best for them.