Benefits of working for Barnardo's
Barnardo’s Retirement Savings Plan (BRSP)
As a responsible employer, Barnardo’s considers it is important to encourage people to save for their retirement - pension provision is therefore a key feature of its benefits package.
Barnardo's Retirement Savings Plan (BRSP) is a stakeholder pension with BlackRock Pensions Ltd and is available to all new staff. Staff are able to choose one of two contribution rates - 4 per cent or 6 per cent of earnings - and have their contributions matched by Barnardo's. Staff are also able to make additional contributions up to 100 percent of their earnings in total and receive tax relief on the additional contributions. Contributions can be invested in a variety of funds according to your investment preference, or alternatively a default fund is available. All new staff are automatically enrolled into BRSP but you can opt out if you do not wish to join.
Pension Contributions, for the majority of staff, are paid using a Salary Exchange arrangement, which reduces the amount of National Insurance paid to employees.
At retirement, under current legislation, the member will be able to take up to one-quarter of their accumulated fund as a tax-free cash sum with the remainder being converted to a pension through the purchase of an annuity from an insurance company. The normal pension age will be 65 years old.
Pension members will also receive death in service life cover at four times salary for those contributing at 4 percent or at six times salary for those contributing at 6percent.
This plan will be contracted in to the state second pension which means that staff also earn an additional State second pension to be paid alongside the state basic pension at state retirement age.
Annual leave*
Staff receive either 25 or 27 days leave per annum (dependent on grade of the post) plus bank holidays. Leave entitlement increases by five extra days after the completion of five years’ service.
Maternity/parental leave
Generous maternity/parenthood leave entitlements are in place, including extended maternity leave and benefits. (Available after a qualifying period).
Flexible working/work life balance
In line with Barnardo’s flexible working policy, the right to request flexible working is available to all employees. There are a number of different flexible working arrangements available throughout the organisation, which can be arranged by mutual consent.
Child Care Vouchers
In partnership with Computershare, we offer a childcare voucher scheme.
This is a flexible way to meet the costs of your childcare. Part of your salary can be given up or ‘sacrificed’ in exchange for Childcare Vouchers. Within specified limits, these vouchers are non-taxable and exempt from National Insurance contributions and therefore present a saving for employees who receive them as part of their total employment package. The Childcare Vouchers received are then exchanged, in whole or part, for the approved and registered childcare services you use. More details are available fromthe People Section or direct from Computershare voucher services website.
Sickness/absence
Barnardo’s is required to make statutory sickness payments (SSP) where staff qualify.* We also have our own sick pay scheme, including full pay for a period subject to certain conditions.
Barnardo’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Barnardo’s recognises that staff members may face and need help with a variety of issues throughout their lives and as part of the commitment to staff members provides the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
The EAP is a 24:7 independent and confidential counselling and information service, free of charge, available to all Barnardo’s staff and their immediate family members. Support is available on a range of issues including legal, financial, emotional, health issues and work related concerns (Whistleblowing)
Learning and development
At Barnardo's we take learning and development very seriously. We see the purpose of learning to ensure employees, workers and volunteers are equipped with the skills and competence to undertake their role. This can include working towards a qualification or certification. We see the purpose of development to develop capacity for the future as required for identified business needs.
Delivering learning and development
Although formal education and training are important vehicles for learning and development, we also encourage everyday experience in the workplace. This means that you will experience on the job learning activities from coaching and mentoring to project working and work shadowing.
Of course, we appreciate that not all learning can be carried out on the job, so we offer a variety of e-learning and classroom based courses in the following areas:
- induction
- safeguarding
- health and safety
- equality and diversity
- management development
- developing business skills capability
- people management.
All employees receive a standard corporate induction and then depending on which role you are in, you may receive some additional induction to learn more about your specific region or department.
To support you during your career with Barnardo's, you will also have an annual performance agreement and regular supervision meetings with your line managers.
For those who join our organisation as social workers, there is access to post-qualifying training and opportunities to undertake practice teaching.
Barnardo’s fleet car
This is subject to eligibility and work mileage, for certain posts.
Conditions will be discussed with employees either at interview or when appointed to the organisation.
Season ticket loan
Interest free loans up to a maximum of £1,600 per annum are available to purchase season tickets for the journey between home and work.
Optional benefits
You can add to the benefits and build a personal package by choosing a range of optional benefits. This enables you to benefit from the favourable rates that Barnardo’s have been able to negotiate on a selection of services.
Private patient healthcare
A group scheme has been arranged with Private Patient Plan, which currently receives a 25% discount on normal rates. Members can secure the advantages available to private patients in hospitals in the event of illness.
Hospital cash plan
We offer cash plans at reasonable premiums, which provide various benefits including dental, optical, hospital in-patient and physiotherapy at very reasonable premiums.
Foresters healthcare
Information via Pensions Team, Barkingside
Hospital Savings Association
Information via Payroll Team, Barkingside
Medicash
Information via regional People Team
For further information on these and other benefits which may be local to you, contact the People Team in your region/nation.
* These items are contractual
** The term partner includes spouse, civil partner, and opposite and same sex partners.