There is no denying that working as a care assistant or a support worker is incredibly rewarding and it provides you with an opportunity to make a real difference in the community. This is one of the main reasons why so many people are drawn to this line of work, however, some decide not to go ahead with a career change into care because of the numerous misconceptions surrounding rates of pay in this industry.
Understandably, the majority of people have to work to be able to provide for their families and a rewarding job that doesn’t pay the bills is one that many can’t accept, but private care jobs actually have a number of financial and other perks. When you choose the right home care agency to work for, not only will you have the chance to improve the lives of people in the local community, but you can also improve your own families’ lives too. Below we have looked into some of the compelling perks of private care jobs that many aren’t aware of.
Competitive pay package
You will find that some home care agencies pay their staff higher than the National Living Wage and they recognise that being a care assistant is a demanding job role. More often than not, agencies will also offer enhanced rates to reflect the length of service too, so there is an opportunity to earn more money over time. It is a huge misconception that all private care jobs only pay minimum wage and some agencies will provide very competitive pay packages.
Discretionary annual bonuses
In addition to the basic wage that they pay their care assistants, some agencies will also provide staff with annual bonuses and they won’t let the hard work of their team go unnoticed. These agencies will ensure that you’re rewarded for the exemplary service that you have provided to clients over the course of the year. Discretionary bonuses can differ from agency to agency, but many are keen to ensure that their staff know just how much they appreciate them.
Company car scheme allowance
When you’re working in the community, you will be required to drive to meet client’s and not only will some care agencies pay for their team’s mileage, but they will offer company car schemes as well. Again, what is available in this regard will differ depending on the agency you choose to work for, but many agencies are aware of the fact that you will do a lot of driving over the course of the year, even though clients are put into rounds locally to reduce travel time.
Pension scheme and paid holiday entitlement
More often than not, private care jobs aren’t freelance or carried out on a self-employed basis. The majority of care agencies will hire their care assistants, whether they’re full time or part-time, and then provide them with a pension scheme as well as paid holiday entitlement. This can make a huge difference to your life both now and in the future, and if you have ever been self-employed, you will know just how beneficial it is to have both of these perks.
Ongoing training and support
When you start out as a care assistant, you won’t be required to have years of experience and agencies will provide you with the comprehensive training you need to be able to confidently carry out core duties. Many even offer additional training, enabling you to progress in the care industry and there is plenty of room for growth. Ongoing support is provided as standard too, so you will never have to worry about having to handle difficult situations independently.
Finding a private care job
It is fair to say that lots of the information you come across surrounding rates of pay in the care industry simply isn’t true and when you find the right care agency to work for, you can trust that they will take good care of you. Now that you’re aware of some of the perks associated with private care jobs, you shouldn’t hesitate to try and find a home care job that is perfect for you.
Here at Beloved Homecare, we value each and every member of our team and we can assure you that there is no better care agency to turn to in the Trafford area for career opportunities in the care industry. Our ‘Outstanding’ rating from the CQC proves that we are passionate about providing a high level of care to our clients, but we are also committed to ensuring that our staff are well looked after too and there are a number of benefits to joining our team. To find out more about working for Beloved Homecare, explore the careers section of our website today.