A CARE provider with two homes in York has announced a five per cent pay rise to thank frontline staff for their dedication during the pandemic.

Ideal Carehomes' £1.5m per annum investment means all hourly-paid staff will receive the increase in recognition of their commitment, on top of the two per cent increase applied in April.

This takes all salaries above the current real living wage, meaning more than £1,000 extra per year for a care assistant before tax.

Ideal Carehomes is a residential and dementia care provider, which operates Ebor Court and Handley House in York.

Managing director, Stacey Linn, said: “I am so proud of the whole Ideal Carehomes team.

"They put themselves on the frontline throughout the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and were full of courage and commitment at a time when we all knew very little about the virus.

"Our pay rates were already higher than average but this five per cent extra is a thank you for everything our dedicated and highly skilled teams have done and continue to do.”

Ideal Carehomes recently organised an internal awards ceremony to celebrate team members who have gone above and beyond in their roles.

Leah Beattie and Susie Carman won the Beyond the Call of Duty and Activities Co-ordinator of the Year accolades at the Ideal Care Awards for their work at Ebor Court in York.  

York Press:

Team Ebor Court at the Ideal Care Awards with, from left, care manager Sharon Conarty, and home manager, Shane Talbot, along with finalists Leah Beattie and Susie Carman,who won accolades.

Staff have also been given access to counselling services, support for physical and mental health and each team member received a HERO medal as a keepsake of their role on the frontline of the pandemic.

Lorna Creelie, domestic assistant at Ebor Court, said: “The last 18 months have been difficult to say the least but I have always felt supported and valued.

"Working in the care sector is a vocation and we don’t do it for money, but to know that you are appreciated by your employer means a lot.”

Stacey added: “We are a people business and our people are at the core of everything we do.

"It is our job to ensure that they are rewarded for their dedication and commitment via employee recognition and pay but also by supporting them through the tough times.

"As we all welcome a return to our ‘new normal’, our team continues to provide outstanding care for our residents and we will continue to care for our team.”

Ideal Carehomes employ more than 1,300 people across 27 care homes throughout Yorkshire, the North West and the Midlands.

All homes which have been inspected by the Care Quality Commission are rated as Good or Outstanding.

All homes are purpose built and care staff are offered paid breaks and consistent shift patterns.