Following a recent report issued which highlighted staff shortages within the care sector, due to low wages and workload pressures, Encore Care Homes is pledging to continue to buck the trend.
The National Audit Office’s recent report stated low rates of pay and workload pressures mean some care services are struggling to recruit new team members. However, Encore Care Homes offer staff above average wages and a range of shifts which cater to each individual’s lifestyle and commitments.
Encore’s employees receive an hourly rate which is above the national average wage for carers. Hourly rates for senior healthcare assistants at Encore can earn up to £9.74 an hour depending on NVQ qualifications. Staff with no NVQ qualification can earn up to £8.05 per hour, which is over the national minimum wage.
Kavita Brown, head of people at Encore, said: “Encore prides itself on offering a range of shifts of various lengths which cover mornings, afternoons, evenings and nights. This means every employee has the freedom to choose which shifts work best for them in order to suit their lifestyle and personal commitments.”
Encore uses its own dependency algorithm which nurses regularly update in each home to ensure that staff are hired based on each resident’s needs, as opposed to the number of residents in each home. This allows 
residents to receive the right level of care and attention which they require, while ensuring staff are responsible for the amount of residents which they feel comfortable caring for. The current ratio of carer to resident is 1:4.
Kavita added: “We invest in our employees by ensuring that all staff receive regular training to allow continuous development and provision of the very highest standard of care to residents. Team members are also encouraged to develop their skillset and therefore progress in their role.
“Each new starter is provided with a bespoke and certificated personal development plan which ensures every employee feels nurtured in their role. We believe that if our teams are happy, this will filter throughout the entire home, and assure our residents are also happy.”
Encore manages three care homes in Dorset and Hampshire, with Great Oaks in Bournemouth being the latest to open in June last year.
