ILS Scotland Ltd, the community-based ‘care at home’ company, is embarking on a new recruitment drive as part of its expansion in Edinburgh, with 50 new positions to be filled across the city. The company is offering a range of attractive benefits to attract potential candidates, including guaranteed hours contracts for full-time and part-time workers, a mileage allowance for car drivers, and an SVQ training programme to the value of £500.
ILS provides services on contract back to Edinburgh City Council to support older people at home and people of all ages challenged by disabilities and other issues which make it hard for them to cope with life alone. Recent figures from the Scottish Government revealed that the amount of money being spent by Scottish councils providing personal care for elderly people in their own home has more than doubled in eight years, from £133 million in 2003-04 to £347 million in 2011-12.
This reflects the fact that a greater proportion of older people are now being cared for at home rather than in hospitals or care homes, and that support workers are increasingly providing personal care services rather than domestic services.
Bruce Ramage, Service Manager for ILS in Edinburgh, says: “More elderly people are receiving support to help them stay in their own homes for longer, and we need more support workers to meet the growing demand for care at home services.
“With guaranteed hours contracts on offer, job seekers have the reassurance of getting work each week which they can fit around their own availability. Many of our support workers have made a real career for themselves at ILS and we’re delighted to have helped them. It’s a great opportunity and can be totally life-changing – for them and so many others.”
A typical day in the life of a support worker will involve dropping in to see and support several different people in one day, working on a rota and a shift system. Care and support is generally provided on a one-to-one basis, and the new recruits will assist with areas such as helping to rise in the morning and getting back to bed, meal preparation, personal care, support with medicines, domestic chores and shopping. Companionship is also very important, as a support worker may be the only person an elderly person at home sees during the day.
The company is looking for a range of full-time, part-time and relief support workers. It provides full staff training as well as ongoing training and support with the opportunity for career progression. An SVQ training programme, to the value of £500, is available for all employees. There is no need for previous experience in the care sector, and there are opportunities to access a company car for both drivers and non-drivers and the chance to join the tax saving Cycle to Work scheme.
ILS Scotland is a major, long established provider of care across Scotland, working in partnership with local authorities, and has a workforce of 1600 across the country. Services are also provided on a private basis to those who wish to augment the care they receive through the council, or have other requirements for support.
Anyone interested in working for ILS in Edinburgh can get in touch by calling the recruitment hotline on 0800 232 1039, or through the ILS Recruitment website www.ilsrecruitment.com
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