Home care company Bluebird Care Reigate announces significant pay increase and up to £200 welcome bonus 

Hourly and live-in care company Bluebird Care Reigate has just announced a hugely competitive pay package in a bid to recruit and retain the best calibre of carers the industry has to offer. 

This year the Bluebird Care Reigate, increased their hourly pay to £12 on weekdays and £12.50 on weekends. This means that the hourly rate is over 20% higher than the new National Living wage which comes into effect for UK workers until April this year. Bluebird Care Reigate already pays travel time and mileage which is not typical for the industry. Sandra Sousa joined Bluebird Care as Business Operations Director in November last year, she explains why she felt it important to change the company’s pay rate:  

“Brexit had a significant impact on our industry. This competitive pay rate is demonstrative of the appreciation we have for our carers, and the highly skilled care they deliver. We hope that the increased hourly rate and welcome incentive will entice more people into the industry and our care company. Care work is not easy, but it is an incredibly rewarding career with real prospects.” 

The pay package offered by the organisation will undoubtedly attract those from the retail and hospitality sectors who have a reputation for low salaries and benefits. There are no academic requirements to work in care. However, the nature of the role necessitates full training before a person can start work. Bluebird Care offers the initial training, as well as ongoing support and training in specialist areas such as Dementia.   

In addition to the new hourly rate, the company is also offering a welcome bonus of up to £200 to anyone who joins and remains in employment Bluebird Care Reigate between 4th January and 31 March 2022. The bonus is not only being offered to new recruits, but all those who are already working for the organisation and will continue to, past 31st March 2022.  

Sheila Dixon is the Care Manager for the Reigate Branch; she explains what she looks for in her care teams and the customers they can expect to meet: 

“I am so proud that we offer such a fantastic pay package. We are fortunate to regularly meet high-quality candidates from across the Reigate area, the standard is unmistakable, however, it is the volume that we struggle with. I am actively seeking to recruit individuals who find reward in brightening the lives of others and have a real passion for care.” 

No academic qualifications are required to work in care, but you need to be someone with patience, resilience, and compassion. The industry saw a drop in care assistants when Brexit resulted in many Europeans repatriating to their own countries.  

More people than ever are required in the health and social care sector and the number is increasing. 

If the adult social care workforce grows proportionally to the projected number of people aged 65 and over in the population then the number of adult social care jobs will increase by 29% (480,000 jobs) to around 2.16 million jobs by 2035.  

Throughout COVID-19 we saw the nation ‘clap for our carers’ each evening and during the height of the pandemic, many people joined the industry. Bluebird Care is keen to speak to anyone interested in working in the industry and can speak to a member of the friendly recruitment team to discuss what the role involves.

Contact 03003 034900 or email: midsouthrecruitment@bluebirdcare.co.uk