How We Built The UK's Best Workplace in Healthcare

How Abney & Baker Home Care And Support Became The UK's Best Workplace in Healthcare

At Abney & Baker, we believe that providing the highest quality of home care begins with looking after those who deliver it: our carers. Our focus on this principle has resulted in us being named the

UK's Best Workplace in Healthcare

as well as the UK's Best Workplace for Women by Great Place to Work – a testament to the culture we've built and the values we live by.

In this article, we talk about how we did it, the difference it has made to our carers' lives and, as a result, the impact it has had on the lives of our clients.

You can find out more about

what it's like to work at Abney & Baker

here

.

At Abney & Baker, our commitment to delivering exceptional home care services is unwavering. Our journey to excellence began with a deep-seated passion for providing high-quality care and support to individuals in their own homes. Over the years, we have refined our approach, investing in our team members and implementing best practices to ensure our clients receive the best possible care.

Our dedication to excellence has not gone unnoticed. We have earned recognition from

Great Place to Work

as the

UK's Best Workplace for Healthcare

and Best Workplace for Women as well as from homecare.co.uk as a

Top 20 UK Care Provider

. This commitment to excellence is what sets us apart from other home care providers, and we are proud to be a leader in our industry. By focusing on the needs of our clients and supporting our team, we continue to raise the bar for home care services.

Listening to What Matters

When we set out to create a great workplace, we started with the most crucial step: listening.

Engaging directly with our carers taught us what they value most – financial stability, well-being, and growth opportunities. Every decision we make as a company comes from understanding our team's needs and acting on them.

Creating Financial Stability

Financial stability is fundamental to attracting and retaining dedicated and compassionate carers. In an industry often plagued by low wages, inconsistent work patterns, and precarious contracts, it's essential to build a foundation that offers financial security and predictable employment. Stability not only empowers our members to focus on providing excellent care but also ensures they feel valued for their vital contributions.

At the heart of stability is fairness – fair pay that reflects the responsibilities of the role, contracts that guarantee reliable income, and predictable work patterns that enable carers to balance their professional and personal lives. We also offer flexible working arrangements to suit personal schedules. By addressing these key areas, we create an environment where carers can thrive, knowing their time, effort, and commitment are respected and rewarded.

Competitive Pay

Home care is often seen as a low-wage role. Being paid at or just above the National Living Wage isn't reflective of the responsibilities carers have or the training and qualifications they have. Low pay is demoralising for people who give so much of themselves to ensure the health and wellbeing of others.

We pay above the Living Wage Foundation's

Real Living Wage

because carers deserve financial security for their incredible work. It's also important that we offer competitive pay rates when compared to other similar job roles if we want to attract and keep the best carers

Full Shift Pay

It's still a real cause for concern in the home care sector that carers are often paid only for their time delivering care and travelling between visits. That means they will have unpaid gaps in their shifts which directly impacts what they earn from that shift. We believe that the challenges of scheduling should be our problem and not passed on to our care team.

Our carers are compensated for every minute of their shifts, reflecting the value of their time, and ensuring they are getting both paid travel time and paid waiting time.

Guaranteed Hours

Up there with unpaid gaps in shifts is the issue of zero hour contracts in home care jobs. They just pass the variability of scheduling on to the care team and there is no need for them.

To remove uncertainty, we offer guaranteed hours so our carers can have confidence in what they'll earn each month.

Flexible Working Patterns

Care workers often, rightly, complain that they don't know from one week to the next, or one day to the next, when they'll be working and are often put under pressure, or simply told, to do additional overtime shifts. This approach makes managing life outside of work difficult and impacts families.

We offer consistent and predictable schedules to help carers balance work and life and confidently plan their lives. Additionally, we provide flexible working arrangements to suit personal schedules, enabling team members to balance work and home life effectively. When it comes to overtime, we pay a premium rate and offer the shifts out to the team without any pressure.

You can find out more about our

commitment to fair pay here

.

Prioritising Well-Being

The well-being of our carers is just as important as the well-being of our clients. While carers dedicate their time and energy to supporting others, it's vital that they feel equally supported by their employer. Prioritising the health and happiness of our team is central to fostering a culture of care and mutual respect.

We demonstrate this commitment through tangible benefits that promote health and reward dedication. From private medical insurance that ensures carers and their families are cared for, to loyalty bonuses that provide extra time to rest and recharge, we invest in the people who give so much of themselves every day.

Private Medical Insurance

A carer is out there taking care of the health and wellbeing of our clients each day, but that commitment to care is often not shown to them by their employer. We wanted to make sure we were supporting our carers' health.

All carers can receive full private medical coverage, with the option to extend this benefit to their families. This ensures they feel cared for just as much as they care for others.

Loyalty Bonuses

Caring can be a demanding job and it's important that carers are given the opportunity to rest and recharge.

We reward our carers' commitment to care by offering additional holiday with each year of service allowing them to increase their allowance to 33 days annually; a recognition of their dedication.

Fostering Growth

Supporting the personal and professional growth of our carers is key to building a skilled and motivated team. Every carer's aspirations are unique, but the desire to develop and thrive in their role is universal. Training required for carers to gain necessary skills and certifications is essential in this journey. By fostering growth, we empower our carers to achieve their potential and take pride in their accomplishments.

Professional Development and Training

Great carers want to be able to grow and develop in their roles. That means different things to different people but the desire is always there.

We offer our carers the chance to learn specialist skills, train to train others and, through our Abney & Baker Apprenticeship Scheme, the opportunity to gain professional qualifications while working with us. The training required to gain necessary skills and certifications is a critical component of our

comprehensive development programme

.

Career Progression

For some carers, that desire to grow and develop manifests in a wish to take on more responsibility. We provide opportunity for career progression by always looking to recruit from within before looking outside for new managers.

Over 85% of our managers began their journey as carers. By promoting from within, we provide clear pathways for growth and leadership.

Our Approach to Care

At Abney & Baker, our approach to care is centered around the individual needs and preferences of our clients. We believe that every person deserves care that is tailored to their unique requirements, and we work closely with our clients and their families to develop personalised care plans that meet their needs.

Our team of experienced care workers is trained to provide a wide range of services, from assistance with daily living tasks to complex care needs. We understand that every client is different, and we take the time to get to know each person, their values, and their goals. Our approach to care is built on the principles of dignity, respect, and compassion, and we strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment that promotes independence and well-being.

A Culture of Care for Support Workers

Ultimately, we've created a workplace where carers feel valued, supported, and inspired.

By prioritising the well-being and growth of our carers, we ensure they have the resources and encouragement needed to excel in their roles. This supportive atmosphere not only enhances their professional lives but also positively impacts their personal lives, allowing them to balance work with their, and their families' needs.

With a focus on continuous development and recognition, our carers are motivated to go above and beyond in their duties, ensuring that every client receives the compassionate and consistent care they deserve.

What Our Team Members Say

Our team members are the heart of our organization, and we are proud to have a team of dedicated and compassionate care workers who are passionate about delivering exceptional care. Here's what some of our team members have to say about working with us:

"I love working for Abney & Baker because I feel like I'm making a real difference in people's lives. The training and support I receive are excellent, and I feel confident in my ability to provide high-quality care." – Care Assistant

"I was drawn to Abney & Baker because of their commitment to excellence and their focus on delivering personalised care. I feel like I'm part of a team that truly cares about its clients and is dedicated to making a positive impact in the community." – Care Team Member

Our Impact on the Community

At Abney & Baker, we are committed to making a positive impact in the community. We believe that our services not only benefit our clients but also contribute to the well-being of the wider community. Our team members are actively involved in local initiatives and events, and we partner with other organisations to promote health and well-being in the community.

We are proud to be a part of the community, and we are committed to continuing to provide exceptional home care services that make a real difference in people's lives. By supporting our team and delivering high-quality care, we contribute to a healthier, happier community for everyone.

Why It Matters

Investing in carers isn't just good for employees—it's essential for delivering exceptional care.

Our commitment to fostering an environment where carers can thrive is reflected in the exceptional quality of service we deliver which is why we've been named a Top 20 Care Provider on multiple occasions by

homecare.co.uk

.

Happy, supported carers have the energy and motivation to provide compassionate, consistent care to clients. By prioritising their needs, we've built a thriving company that's as rewarding for its team as it is for its clients.

As a result, our clients benefit from the dedication and expertise of a team that truly cares, making a meaningful difference in their lives and reinforcing our reputation as the leading provider of home care services.

Join Us

If you're looking for a

career where you'll feel valued and empowered

, we'd love to

hear from you

.