Our fantastic team who work in our care homes have been promoting the benefits of a career in care as we search for 500 Dorset residents to sign up to our new not-for-profit care agency.
Searching for frontline staff
We are looking to welcome 500 people to sign up to our new initiative, Care Club, to fulfil a range of roles at Great Oaks in Bournemouth, Oakdale in Poole and Fairmile Grange in Christchurch. The not-for-profit care agency was launched in response to our partnership with the NHS to temporarily welcome in extra non-Covid residents at short notice to reduce the pressure on hospital staff as coronavirus patient numbers rise.
Maggie Tomlin, Home Manager at Great Oaks, started her working life as an auxiliary nurse in a hospital before switching to working in care homes. She said: “If you have got empathy and genuinely want to help people then it’s a very good career. You can work your way up to make it a career that you can be proud of. The reason I wanted to become a care home manager is because I wanted to make a difference. Since I started working in care, I’ve never lost my enthusiasm for it.”
Benefits for frontline staff
Members of Care Club enjoy a host of benefits including a choice of shifts, being included in the rollout of vaccines across our care homes, a bonus from £30-£60 for each full shift worked, and high rates of pay. By completing Care Club shifts, Registered Nurses will be paid £19.40 to £20.49 per hour plus a £60 bonus for a 12-hour shift and Care Practitioners will be paid £12.12 to £13.24 per hour plus a £40 bonus for a 12-hour shift. Senior Healthcare Assistants (Senior HCAs) will be paid £10.86 to £11.98 per hour plus a £40 bonus for a 12-hour shift, and Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) will be paid £8.99 to £10.55 per hour plus a £30 bonus for a 12-hour shift.
Care Club member, Zarina Hassan, who works as a Healthcare Assistant at Oakdale, said: “We are working on the frontline and we are very proud of that. One day I will tell my children and my grandchildren that I helped during this pandemic. I love doing this job as I enjoy looking after people. I’m doing something good for the community as well as I’m helping out in these difficult times.”
Thinking of a career change?
Those who are new to working in care homes with relevant experience are also encouraged to become part of the Care Club team with full training provided as well as ‘Buddy’ to work alongside as they get to know the role, and ongoing training support.
Fellow Care Club member, Danielle Smith, who also works as a Healthcare Assistant at Oakdale, said: “I’ve worked in care homes for seven years. I took Health and Social Care as one of the subjects I chose for my A-Levels and my teacher suggested that I try working in care. It’s very rewarding. It makes you feel very good by the end of the shift when you think about how you’ve helped the residents.”
Strict Covid-19 protocols are in place with all incoming residents being tested for Covid-19 before they arrive at the care home. The new resident also undergoes a period of self-isolation, with the team’s support. All care home residents are tested for Covid-19 on a weekly basis, with staff accessing twice-weekly Lateral Flow rapid testing.
How to apply
For more information and to apply for a role within Care Club, go to Careclub.encorecarehomes.co.uk
