I’m proud that Reading has a different approach to Home Care to many other places. If you are interested in a possible future career as a home care worker in Reading hop on board a special recruitment bus parked in Broad Street today (23rd March).
This is part of Reading Borough Council’s “We Care, Could You?” campaign, which aims to highlight how working in the care sector in Reading is better than many other places.
Home care providers will be available at the First Stop Bus between 10:00 am and 6:00pm to talk through options with people. The black and green bus will be located directly in front of the Broad Street entrance to the Oracle Shopping Centre.
The campaign also aims to highlight the job satisfaction of making a real difference to someone’s life. Home care workers work with a variety of people and develop rewarding relationships helping people to live dignified lives.
The employers attending the event are all part of the Reading Borough Council Home Care Framework which means they offer fair pay, benefits and conditions, thanks to the Council’s commitment to the Unison Ethical Care Charter. All of the Reading home care workers on the framework must be paid at least the living wage, as well as having their uniforms, DBS checks, travel time between appointments and mileage paid for.
The Council has set up a dedicated webpage, where people can find out more about a career as a home care worker and view the jobs currently available at www.reading.gov.uk/hcf
As we are able to live longer we are also finding a growing demand for home care workers. Helping people to live independently in their own homes is a vital and important role – by giving older and disabled people dignified support and care it can really help people live their lives to the full. In Reading, we believe that this should be reflected in making this a career where you can progress and earn a fair wage.
“If you would like to know more I would encourage anyone who feels a sense of personal achievement from helping other people to stop by the bus on Wednesday and find out more.
Home care can be a great choice for a career change or young people starting their first job from school or college. Training towards recognised qualifications is often provided, with opportunities to learn new skills and to move up the career ladder. Care working can be very flexible, with a range of working patterns available, so people can do hours that suit them.
The initiative aims to build on work of the Council’s Home Care Framework, launched last year, where the Council developed a list of 12 preferred providers. These providers must comply with Reading’s local Dignity Charter to promote and protect the dignity of individuals, and must also meet the requirements of the Unison Ethical Care Charter, which the Council adopted in 2014, to promote better quality of care and working conditions for care workers. This includes paying the living wage, proper training and payment for travel time.
