Benefits of working for Barnardo's

Introduction to Barnardo’s

Barnardo’s beliefs

Barnardo’s believes that the lives of all children should be free from poverty, abuse and discrimination, and that the future of our society depends on children. We believe that they deserve to be protected from harm, to enjoy good emotional, mental and physical health, as well as to ensure that that they feel a sensce of belonging in their home and community. We also believe that it is never too early or late to offer a helping hand – to give the most disadvantaged youngsters the chance for a better childhood and a brighter future.

Barnardo’s across the UK

Barnardo’s head office is based at Barkingside in Essex. There are nine regional offices based in Scotland,Wales, the North East, North West,Yorkshire, Midlands, South West, Northern Ireland, and London, the East and South East.Together they provide approximately 380 services and operate just under 329 shops.

Our basis and values

At Barnardo’s we give disadvantaged children the help they need to build a better future. Everything we do, whether in the home, school or local community – is influenced by a set of principles and values. These principles and values are are as important to us today as they were when Barnardo’s was founded in 1866. Our basis and values.

Promoting equality/valuing diversity

Barnardo’s is committed to providing equality of opportunity for the children, young people, families and carers with whom we work. We value and respect their diversity.

Barnardo’s welcomes difference in its staff and volunteers. In accordance with its basis and values, Barnardo’s is working to create equal access to opportunities for paid employment and voluntary involvement while continuing to base selection and promotion solely on ability to meet the requirements of the post. This is irrespective of race, colour, ethnic or national origins, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, irrelevant offending background, responsibility for dependants, economic status or political values.

Barnardo’s is committed to taking active steps to address and eliminate unfair or unlawful discrimination or prejudice where these are identified in the organisation’s procedures or practices.

Find out more about who we are, the work we do, and our vision and purpose.

Barnardo’s employee support groups

As an organisation Barnardo’s actively encourages its employees to become involved in the groups and forums which exist throughout Barnardo’s. Some of these are national or local or both. They are open to any employee who feels they identify with these groups and wish to access support.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender forum (LGBT)

Barnardo’s has it’s own National LGBT Forum, as well as local forums organised in every nation/region. These forums meet on a regular basis.

The National Forum holds a bi-annual conference that meets to draw on the LGBT talent nationally in Barnardo’s. At every conference, we have workshops and guest speakers in to update, create debate and inform LGBT workers, volunteers and students. We provide policy advice and guidance from these conferences to all levels of management – and we have some serious fun as well! It provides a focus and an opportunity for all LGBT workers, students and volunteers nationally to meet and discuss issues for the improvement of services for children, young people and their families and working situations of staff.

If you identify as LGBT you would be very welcome to join and help shape the future of Barnardo’s.

Disabled staff forum

The group aims to:

be a support group for disabled staff, within a safe and confidential forum
provide an opportunity for disabled staff to offer feedback to Barnardo’s on policies and practice relating to Children’s Services
provide an opportunity for disabled staff to offer feedback to Barnardo’s on issues of concern to disabled staff.

The forum is open to anyone who identifies themselves as a ‘disabled’ person and they would be delighted to hear from you.

Black workers forum

Barnardo’s has a 4 Nations Corporate Group for Black Staff which is made up of representatives from the local forums. The Group has links with the UK Director responsible for race equality and reports to Executive Board. The main aims of the group are to organise a bi-annual conference and develop an overview of the issues affecting Black staff and communities nationally. This is used to inform and influence Barnardo’s decision making process on planning, policy and practice from a Black perspective.

Each region/nation has a forum which is open to all Black Staff, including students and volunteers and the aims are to:

create a safe environment for members to share personal and professional issues and seek advice
provide mutual support
break down isolation
provide a focus for the exchange of skills, knowledge, experience, ideas, practice, resources etc
enable members to contribute and influence the development of policy and practice from a Black perspective
develop links and network with other members locally and nationally.

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.