Group announces large pay rise for hourly paid staff

IDEAL Carehomes is investing another £2.5million per annum to increase the wages of its staff.

This will mark the operator’s fourth wage increase in two years, a total investment of more than £6million which has added 20 per cent to the care teams’ salaries and cemented the company as one of the top paying providers in the UK.

The latest rise, which came into effect in April, will see all hourly paid care team members receive a minimum increase of 8.5 per cent, the biggest single investment in pay so far by Ideal Carehomes.

Currently employing more than 1,700 people in care homes across the country, hourly rates will start at £10.90 per hour in line with the Real Living Wage and far exceeding the National Minimum Wage.

Managing director Stacey Linn said: ‘With the cost of living remaining a constant worry, we feel it is imperative that we make these vital investments to support our staff.

garden, allowing residents the freedom to enjoy the outside whenever they want.

The newly opened community means Ashlynn Grange can now cater for 153 residents, offering residential, nursing and dementia care.

The ribbon was officially cut by the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Peterborough, Nick Sandford and Bella Saltmarsh, during an open afternoon attended by residents, their relatives and team members from Ashlynn Grange.

Singer Gabriella entertained residents and guests before the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress were given a tour of the new facilities, stopping to reminisce at some of the images of old Peterborough that have been displayed to rekindle memories of days gone by.

Registered home manager Desiree Jooste added: “We are proud to be able to offer this newly-refurbished community for our residents and their relatives.

“We are also excited to be able to open it up to the wider community in Peterborough when we host awareness sessions and open days.

“We want everyone to be able to enjoy this welcoming space here at Ashlynn Grange.”

“We are a people business, and nothing is more important to us than making sure our people feel secure and valued in their career with us.

‘Over the past year alone, we’ve grown our teams by 27 per cent and opened six new care homes, with plans to open three more by the end of 2024.

“Our growth is providing our current and future teams with the rewarding careers they deserve through real time opportunities to grow with us and in turn, further strengthening their earning potential.’

Ideal Carehomes’ care and domestic assistants will now start on a minimum salary of £23,805 per annum, and with progression through the Ideal Academy, their in-house training scheme, could be earning more than £30,000 per annum within a couple of years.

In addition to its most recent wage increase and comprehensive training initiatives, Ideal Carehomes offers team members wider support and benefits such as a Wellbeing Pathway, which saw the company shortlisted in the Best Employee Wellbeing Strategy category at the Engage Awards 2022.

Stacey added: “As a business we have bounced back and are trading again at pre-pandemic occupancy levels, and this has allowed us to further invest in our people who make it all happen.

“Recruitment in our sector is a challenge but we are proud to offer some of the best training and pay rates which enables us to attract and retain the best staff.

‘The latest pay rise is a necessity in the current financial climate with the increased cost of living, not only to give staff peace of mind, but also to ensure that they are rightfully rewarded for the important and dedicated work that they do.”

Residents of Camilla House in Auchertool were left surprised when a herd of alpacas wandered into their living room this week. While the animal is usually found in South America, this adventurous group made the visit to the home as part of its pet therapy programme. The gentle and calm nature of the alpacas was perfect for the residents who spent the day feeding, walking and stroking them. Lifestyle coordinator Natalia Murphy said: “The residents loved the alpacas it was heartwarming to see everyone’s smiles. We will definitely arrange for them to return.”