You are at the heart of everything we do.
We understand that a motivated workforce is the most important factor for it to be successful. It is vital that our employees feel rewarded for their contribution and we'll make sure that you have access to all the training, coaching and development you need to achieve your goals - as you help us achieve ours.
“Social workers enjoy working for Bracknell Forest. They appreciate the training and clinical supervision that they receive, as well as the availability and support of senior managers.”
"Bracknell Forest has a strong and stable team of permanent staff with a low vacancy rate and agency staff rate."
Ofsted Inspection of services for children in need of help and protection, children looked after and care leavers – May 2017.
In 2017 we undertook a social work health check and asked social workers and family workers to tell us their views about working for Bracknell Forest. 77% of staff strongly agreed or agreed that senior managers were approachable, accessible and responsive.
Some of the feedback we received is below:
"I receive very positive and timely supervision."
"Supervision has been of good quality and offers opportunity to reflect on my responsibilities and practice."
"I am happy with supervision and find it a platform to reflect, assess and at times off load emotions and the impact of social care on health and wellbeing."
Take a look at some of the following benefits on offer for social care staff at Bracknell Forest.
Our benefits
Retention payment
Social Workers within our Children’s Social Care Teams are entitled to a 4% retention payment.
The retention payment is paid on successful completion of each year’s service. See our individual job descriptions for further details.
Essential car user allowance and free car parking
We offer a £963 car user allowance and local free parking.
Learning and development
It is important to us that you feel confident and able to do a good job. We actively encourage all employees to take up the wide variety of learning and development available.
We use a formal appraisal process and electronic training needs analysis to identify skills gaps and personal development opportunities.
As well as face to face workshops, we support coaching and mentoring opportunities, secondments, project working and access to a range of online learning.
In the recent social care health check, employees felt training at Bracknell Forest was excellent.
Pension
Bracknell Forest Council operates the Local Government Pension Scheme.
This is a final salary pension scheme. Contributions depend on your salary (ranging from 6.5% to 8.5% of gross salary) and full tax relief is given.
Flexible working
We understand the importance of a healthy work and lifestyle balance for our staff. Using the flexitime system, you can take time off without using your annual leave.
Bracknell Forest Benefit Choices
Working for Bracknell Forest entitles you to a large variety of rewards and benefits. This will give you access to shopping vouchers from high street retailers such as Sainsburys, leisure centre membership and an excellent sports and social club.
Relocation package
A relocation package of up to a maximum of £8,000 is available if you are moving from over 40 miles away to within 15 miles of your workplace. This includes a lodging or travel allowance plus assistance with moving expenses.
In addition, a monthly allowance can be paid for 4 years to cover regional differences in house prices. This is available for both those who have yet to take their first step on the property ladder and for existing home-owners.