At Way Ahead Care we recognise that people are out greatest asset. You will receive a thorough and informative induction developing your knowledge and skills through courses, practical exercises and on the job training; only once you have been assessed as competent will you transfer to the community to deliver care and support unsupervised.
During the first three months of your employment you will meet with your line manager after 4, 8 and 12 weeks to discuss your progress and review the application of your training.
Once you have successfully completed your probationary period you will continue to meet with your line manager through our Supervision and Appraisal process; you will also attend team meetings and receive other communications from the Company in the form of weekly Care Notes, Newsletters and ad hoc letters.
Developing people is at the forefronts of our minds and development opportunities will present themselves throughout you employment in addition to opportunities for career progression.
Our Taunton office is open from 06:30-22:30 seven days of the week meaning that you can access advice and support from our Care Coordination Team regardless of the day of the week or the time of the day you are working.
During the first three months of your employment you will meet with your line manager after 4, 8 and 12 weeks to discuss your progress and review the application of your training.
Once you have successfully completed your probationary period you will continue to meet with your line manager through our Supervision and Appraisal process; you will also attend team meetings and receive other communications from the Company in the form of weekly Care Notes, Newsletters and ad hoc letters.
Developing people is at the forefronts of our minds and development opportunities will present themselves throughout you employment in addition to opportunities for career progression.
Our Taunton office is open from 06:30-22:30 seven days of the week meaning that you can access advice and support from our Care Coordination Team regardless of the day of the week or the time of the day you are working.
Yes, previous experience is not essential for this role as full training will be provided.
What qualifications do I need to hold to be considered for employment as a Care & Support Assistant?
You are not required to hold any specific formal qualifications to be successful however it is essential that the job holder can read and interpret the English language to understand our Company policies and procedures and follow instruction.
You should however be able to demonstrate a caring and sensitive approach, an interest in the values of the Company and have the desire to make a difference.
You should however be able to demonstrate a caring and sensitive approach, an interest in the values of the Company and have the desire to make a difference.
Reliability: The Service Users to whom we deliver care and support are vulnerable and always require their visits this means that reliability is essential.
High Standards of Care: We ask that you treat all Service Users with care, respect and dignity and as if they were your parent or grandparent or as you would like to be treated.
Commitment: To training and your own development. You will attend many courses as part of your induction and many of these require updates thereafter. Whether this is annually, bi-annually or at other frequencies your attendance is mandatory for your own health and safety and also that of the Service Users. This is a condition of your employment.
High Standards of Care: We ask that you treat all Service Users with care, respect and dignity and as if they were your parent or grandparent or as you would like to be treated.
Commitment: To training and your own development. You will attend many courses as part of your induction and many of these require updates thereafter. Whether this is annually, bi-annually or at other frequencies your attendance is mandatory for your own health and safety and also that of the Service Users. This is a condition of your employment.
All our Service Users are vulnerable adults, the majority of which are the elderly.
Each Service User will have a Care Plan within their own home; this will contain details of their current care package explaining which tasks need to be completed at each visit. These can include helping Service Users get up in the morning or to bed at night, getting washed and dressed, maybe a bath or shower, meal preparation, prompting for medication and toileting. As part of your role you will care for Service Users who suffer from incontinence; you may be required to empty catheter bags, stoma bags or commodes and you may also be required to clean up following an accident. Full training is provided to give you the skills, knowledge and confidence to approach these tasks.
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) is able to provide us with a check into your background regarding any criminal activity, whether this be convictions, cautions or reprimands. The client group we visit are classed as Vulnerable Adults and as such an enhanced disclosure is requested; this will show all criminal activity whether spent or unspent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
Not Necessarily. You should answer appropriately on the Application Form and the Company will undertake a Risk Assessment before inviting you for an interview. The final Risk Assessment will be carried out once the certificate has been received from the CRB.
At Way Ahead Care we have our own training division, Step Ahead Training. During your Induction you will attend a range of training courses to ensure that you meet the Common Inductions Standards as set out by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) whom we are regulated by. In addition to the mandatory training courses, they may be some additional specialist training courses which you will be required to attend.
It is important to note that successful completion of your induction is mandatory to progress with your employment. Some of these courses may take place outside of your ‘normal working hours’ but you will receive your normal rates of pay to attend, we ask that you make any necessary arrangements to ensure your attendance.
It is important to note that successful completion of your induction is mandatory to progress with your employment. Some of these courses may take place outside of your ‘normal working hours’ but you will receive your normal rates of pay to attend, we ask that you make any necessary arrangements to ensure your attendance.
Yes, once you have successfully passed your 3 month probationary period and settled into the role we would like you to start a nationally recognised Care Qualification equivalent to an NVQ. We will arrange a meeting with our Training Manager who will discuss these options with you and answer any questions that you may have.
Yes, at Way Ahead Care vacancies are advertised internally via our Care Notes which are a weekly method of communication. For management positions or those requiring additional specialist qualifications, experience or membership these will also be advertised externally, internal applications are also welcome.
There are both Full and Part Time positions available; working a minimum of 20 hours per week.
he services that we provide are delivered across 7 days of the week therefore all staff are required to work both days on alternate weekends, achieving two complete shifts.
For those opting to work Full Time we have a regular pattern that we will discuss with you, alternatively you may choose your own. For all positions you will agree a two week availability, working both days on one weekend, these agreed hours will form you regular working pattern.
Our mornings start at 07:00 and generally finish at 14:00, some Part Time staff elect to finish at 12:00, our evenings start between 16:00 and 17:00 and finish at 22:00. Generally speaking 14:00 to 16:30 are our quieter times but we do deliver Sitting Services which provide respite for the main carer. If you would like to be available to these services please let us know during your interview.
Unfortunately not, all staff are required to work with your office base, although we do not currently work in all directions up to 20 miles at present.
Yes, because of the areas we cover it is not possible to achieve a rota on foot or by using public transport hence motorised transport is essential for all staff.
Most car insurance policies cover you for Social, Domestic and Pleasure which includes commuting to a permanent place of work. As you will be travelling to many people within their own homes you will not have a permanent place of work and therefore you will need to add a clause of ‘For use in connection with business’ to your Car Insurance Policy; we will need to take a copy of your revised Certificate of Insurance at your induction to satisfy ourselves that you are adequately insured to carry out business on our behalf.
We pay you the maximum tax-free mileage allowance for all business miles you travel. You do not need to keep a record of your mileage as we calculate this using the postcodes for the Service Users homes. The rate currently paid is 40 pence per mile.
Our community Care and Support Assistants are the shop window for the Company, as such all staff are required to ensure they maintain high standards of appearance and personal hygiene. We will provide you with Way Ahead Care Tunics and a Fleece and we ask you to wear black trousers (not leggings or jeans) and enclosed black flat shoes for the reasons of health and safety.
In addition to the uniforms you will also receive the Personal Protective Equipment necessary to ensure infection control. During your induction you will also receive a Way Ahead Care Rucksack, Personal First Aid Kit, Torch, Circuit Breaker, Photographic Identification Badge and Company Mobile Phone and charger.
