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, and to feel that they belong 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, which are as important to us today as they were when Barnardo’s was founded in 1866. View our basis and values here.
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
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) will automatically be available to all new staff. This is a stakeholder pension with BlackRock Pensions Ltd giving individual members the opportunity of investing their contributions in a variety of funds according to their investment preference. For staff who do not select a particular fund, the contributions will be invested in a default fund. This fund aims to capture and “bank” investment returns that have been achieved over and above a set investment target.
Staff will be able to choose one of two contribution rates - 4% or 6% of earnings - and have these contributions matched by Barnardo’s. Staff will also be able to make additional contributions if they wish, up to 100% of their earnings in total and receive tax-relief on these additional contributions.
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.
There will also be death in service provision at four times salary for those contributing at 4% or at six times salary for those contributing at 6%.
This Plan will be contracted-in to the State Second Pension which means that staff will be able to earn additional pension to be paid alongside the State Basic Pension at State Retirement Age.
Further information on BRSP is available from 020 8498 7088. Independent financial advice is available from IFA Promotions - 0800 085 3250.
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 Busy Bees, 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 from Human Resources or direct from www.busybees.com
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
Barnardo’s takes training seriously. We will offer you many opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge which will include a variety of courses relevant to your practice. There are regular opportunities for career progression or secondments within the organisation, via our weekly internal vacancy list. Everyone working at Barnardo’s has different skills and career ambitions. To match these and the needs of the organisation, Barnardo’s offers a wide range of in-house training opportunities, including technical and specialist courses, as well as personal, team and management development training. External courses may also be offered.
In addition to an induction when you first join us, there are annual performance agreements (and regular supervision for Children’s Services staff). Specifically for social workers, there is access to postqualifying training and opportunities to undertake practice teaching.
Children’s Services support programme
The Children’s Services support programme is specifically designed to help members of staff who have experienced trauma or critical incident stress arising directly from professional children’s services work – for example, working with child sexual abuse.
Details of this scheme are available from your local Human Resources section.
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’s healthcare
A group scheme has been arranged with Private Patients’ 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 Manager, Barkingside
Hospital Savings Association
Information via Payroll Manager, Barkingside
Medicash
Information via regional Human Resources
For further information on these and other benefits which may be local to you, contact Human Resources in your region/nation.
* These items are contractual
** The term partner includes spouse, civil partner, and opposite and same sex partners.
