Management at a Lincolnshire care provider say they have committed £1.3 million to help their staff meet the cost of living.
Paul de Savary, managing director at adult social care provider Home From Home Care, said pay rises in April and another planned for October meant the company’s 400 staff will see their base salary rise by 6 per cent.
Weekend pay rates and attendance bonuses are also increasing which, he said, represents an average combined total pay increase of 14 per cent.
The business operates 11 specialist care homes across greater Lincolnshire, and took the decision to increase pay and remuneration in response to anticipated rises in household fuel bills, National Insurance and inflation.
It has premises in areas including Fiskerton, Bardney, Ruskington, Stallingborough and Dorrington.
Having become family-owned this month, the care provider was able to introduce the offer almost instantaneously, without needing to consult shareholders or investors.
Mr de Savary said: “All of our team members have worked so hard and done such amazing things throughout the pandemic, we want to reward them as much as we possibly can, and so we’re pulling all the stops.
“Pay isn’t everything, but it is extremely important, especially when times are tough.
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“As we head into what could be another difficult winter for this country, we’re giving team members the biggest total pay rise we’ve ever managed in a single year as a way of looking after them and saying thank you.
“Of course, the only reason we’ve been able to go as far as we have is because we’re finally free of all outside investors and shareholders.
“This means we’re now a 100 per cent family-owned business, giving us the freedom to sacrifice profits and pay our staff more.
“In the 18 years we’ve been in business, we’ve never seen a situation where our care workers are under so much financial pressure.
“With rising inflation, National Insurance going up and with the fuel and energy cost crisis now taking hold, we want our workers to know how much they’re valued and we don’t want them worrying about whether they’ll be able to make ends meet.
“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to make this increase to pay and bonuses and I hope it makes life a lot easier for all our team members this winter.”
Home From Home Care supports adults with learning disabilities, autism and complex physical and mental health.
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The company says the two pay rises mean that a support worker who was earning £8.82 per hour in March, will now be earning a minimum of £9.53 per hour on passing probation.
They will also be entitled to an extra £1 per hour for working weekends and, without absence, they have the potential to earn an extra 3 per cent, equating to an average rate of £10.09.
The increase in pay brings basic pay for entry-level jobs into alignment with the Real Living Wage of £9.50 per hour, and with weekend pay and attendance bonuses.
The company says workers also generally progress to higher pay levels within three to six months of joining.
The company is also introducing a new “earn as you learn” bonus offer to support university students studying for a relevant degree.