Care charity increases travel time pay and mileage rates for carers
We’re increasing travel time pay and mileage rates for our carers in the face of the rising cost of living (March 2022).
Following the Chancellor’s recent spring statement, we’ve also decided to increase all pay to help our workforce with inflation.
Our Director of Integrated Services at SCA Care, Ricky Rossiter says: “We’re acutely aware of the difficulties people are facing as prices continue to rise, therefore the board has agreed to increase travel time pay by 23% and mileage rates by 25%.
“In light of rising costs, we’ve also decided to pay all our carers more. From March 28 our home care staff will be paid, a new basic rate of £10.90 per hour for 9am-5pm, £11.30 per hour for 7am-9am and 5pm-10pm. Anyone who is qualified will receive an extra 50p on these new rates too.
“For weekends, we’re increasing our basic rates of pay to £11.70 per hour and those who are qualified will now receive £12.20. According to Indeed.com the average hourly rate for carers in Southampton is £10.55 per hour, therefore we’re now paying more than average, per hour, to our team members.”
There has been a growing demand in Southampton for care services and although we’re well able to cope with the number of service users we already assist, we’re keen to provide the extra support needed, so we’re looking to recruit 50 new carers this spring.
Ricky continues: “We take the welfare of our carers very seriously and are committed to helping them through the current issues we’re all facing financially, physically and emotionally post-pandemic and Brexit and with the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“As well as these pay rises, we offer our frontline carers free mental health and wellbeing support through our sister charity Options Wellbeing Trust, which has professional therapists and counsellors on its team who can help with a variety of life issues, including anxiety, trauma, stress, relationships and bereavement. We have trained Mental Health First Aiders and a dedicated, free-ranging Wellbeing Ambassador on our team too.”
Our new recruits are given their birthday off as a paid day’s leave, free uniforms, free training, PPE and all the equipment they need to make their calls.
They also receive above average rates of pay, as well as 30 days paid holiday inclusive of bank holidays, paid mileage and payment for any time someone spends travelling to and between calls.
Ricky adds: “No experience is necessary, as we cover all the costs of DBS checks and training for staff who remain with us after their probationary period and pay staff to attend training sessions. We offer new recruits an induction and on-boarding programme, as well as buddying-up with other experienced team members, and we train staff to an industry standard with all employees completing a Care Certificate.
“We also offer flexible working hours, both full and part-time, competitive wages, which go up from March 28 to £10.90-£14.25 per hour, plus paid travel time, and a generous holiday allocation, including giving an additional free day for a team member’s birthday. Further details of the current and evening roles we have are here.
“Our roles offer a great opportunity for anyone looking for a career for life. There’s the chance to achieve a recognised qualification and you’ll also be able to access a career pathway, if they wish, through to management. Plus, you’ll be joining a charity, not some large money-making machine, we’re here for those we care for and not for profit.”
For further details, please call SCA Care on 023 8036 6663 or visit our Care page here.