AJ News!
AJ Community Care has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Great Yorkshire and Humberside Care Awards 2011 – The Care Employer Award
At AJ Community Care we never stand still, but we do stand proud when talking about our service and approach to developing a personalised service.
AJ started 2011 by revisiting its values having been inspired by a comment made by a carer “Kindness costs nothing, the basic fundamentals of what matters to people is relationships and compassion.” Together the entire team reaffirmed what was important and embarked on an innovative programme to bring the agreed values to life and in turn manage service improvements.
The workforce development took centre stage as the team utilised its new training suite and also put the spotlight on personal development by introducing Patch Champions. Patch Champions, carers promoted internally to manage a small area, have been designed to create a strong personal service, to support relationships and also to improve communication. They work closely with carers and are trained to mentor those new to the company; they also have regular contact with all service users and their families. This enables AJ to ask and understand what’s important and what it can do to improve and sustain quality.
As a result of Patch Champions and according to annual surveys quality has improved, complaints are few and motivation has increased. Each person within the organisation has been empowered and given the opportunity to be heard; in return the organisation has addressed what matters most (however small) to carers and service users.
Whilst guaranteeing high standards AJ has also been determined to promote a more positive view of the care sector and has developed Care Ambassadors to promote the great work achieved and make care a career to be proud of. This has even resulted in a client becoming a care ambassador, offering a personal account of how care can support people and make a real difference.
Janine Grinsill has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Great Yorkshire and Humberside Care Awards 2011.
When Peter crossed the finishing line of a sponsored walk for Second Chance in August 2011 it was a very proud moment not just for him but also for Janine Grinsill his walking companion, friend and carer.
The walk was symbolic of everything that Peter had achieved; it was a strong and powerful example of his independence, which has been nurtured and encouraged thanks to the support of Janine who works with Peter three times a week as part of her role as a full time carer for AJ Community Care.
Peter receives regular care following a brain injury, but over time has become confident and able to become a board member of Second Chance which is a charity that supports people who have suffered brain injury. He is also part of AJ’s Care Ambassador Scheme, which will see him inspire and encourage people to consider a career in care and make care a career to be proud of.
“Care is more than just a job to Janine; she joined AJ in 2009 from a non-care background and has quickly developed to be one of our key support workers. Janine’s natural ability is combined with a desire to up skill; this has seen Janine hold down a full time job whilst studying. She gives our service users the confidence and dignity to be independent and to lead an active life,” commented Claire Cowley.
Carney, who Janine assists once a week, also states: “By building my self-esteem Janine has helped me to build my confidence to go out of my home – she has given me my independence back. Janine is more than my carer; she is my friend and she is one of the warmest, most caring people that I have ever met.”
Congratulations to Hannah Ferguson
Here at AJ we’d like to send our congratulations to Social Worker Hannah Ferguson from Wakefield Council who has picked up a special award from Unison.
Hannah, who worked at AJ whilst she studied to become a qualified Social Worker, picked up the accolade alongside four colleagues from Wakefield Council who were acknowledged for their life changing achievements and the outstanding work that they do within their field.
Hannah is one of the many people who has worked as a Support Worker at AJ throughout their studies, just like AJ Recruitment Manager Tobi.
We wish Hannah and the rest of the team at Wakefield Council our very best regards. Congratulations and well done!
MD Jo Guy to meet with Dame Carol Black
Next week Jo Guy MD of AJ will be meeting with Dame Carol Black to take part in a debate on Employment Legislation.
This is another great opportunity to raise AJ Social Cares profile amongst parliamentary members and other well known figures
MD Jo Guy attends Skills for Care Parliamentary Reception
Jo Guy attended the Palace of Westminster to attend the Skills for Care Parliamentary Reception. Jo is a respected member of the Social Care community and a Non Exec Director of the UKHCA Board. Jo celebrated Skills for Care successes for 2010/2011 and had the opportunity to speak with local MP’s and other parliamentary figures about current social care topics.
AJ Group had a very important visitor on Wednesday 27th April 2011.
Sir Andrew Dillon, Chief Exec of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice),
Knighted in 2009, Sir Andrew Dillon has led the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence since it was created in 1999.
As a Non Executive Director of the UKHCA board, Jo Guy MD of AJ was chosen to receive a visit from Sir Andrew at our head office at Thorpe Park, Leeds.
Sir Andrew spoke at length to Directors Jo Guy MD, Andrew Brindley FD and to a selection of the Community and Training Team discussing current trends in the social care market and operational issues and how NICE could support with these. Sir Andrew said the visit ‘was informative and well worthwhile’ and ‘it was wounderful to meet someone of Jo’s calibre.’ Jo thoroughly enjoying meeting Sir Andrew and has invited him back to further meeting to build links between social and health care sectors something clearly on the governments agenda.
AJ are proud to have been awarded the Two Tick Symbol
AJ are proud to have been awarded the Two Tick Symbol by the Jobcentre Plus to recognise employers who have agreed to meet five commitments regarding the recruitment, employment, retention and career development of disabled people.
The symbol helps to make it clear to disabled people that we welcome applications from them and are positive about their abilities. It also shows existing employees that we value their contribution and will treat them fairly should they become disabled.
AJ Social Care Managing Director Jo Guy has recently been elected as a Non Executive Director on the UKHCA Board.
Jo also sits on and hosts the West Yorkshire Sub-regional Committee for the sector skills council and the Yorkshire Coalition Committee and actively participates in relevant consultations. Election to the UKHCA board will enable her to channel her 17 years experience, energy, drive and keen business skills to support the UKHCA in its work to ensure that our industry continues to prosper.
AJ launches Facebook and Twitter
As social networking is becoming increasingly popular for communication at work, we launched our AJ Facebook page and more and more of AJ team members are joining everyday. We also have service users and their families looking on our page.
Communication Improvement Project!
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
Here at AJ we pride ourselves on the quality of service we deliver, this is not only the practical side of the service we provide but our communication with our customer, potential customers, colleagues and other professionals in our arena.
As representatives of AJ Group it is important that we always remember the importance of excellent communication.
The roles and working environments of AJ Head Office and Community Care Staff are very different. However it is important that we remember that both teams are aiming for the same result, to provide a quality service to our customers ensuring their health and wellbeing is central to everything we do.
AJ promotes a self developing culture and therefore as asked all staff members both internally and in the community to be involved in this project to improve our communication.
Care Ambassador – Raising the profile of Social Care to young people
As a Care Ambassador for Skills for Care Jo Guy has been involved in planning a training program for Service Users to become Care Ambassadors, the care ambassadors will attend colleges, job centres, and schools to promote social care to young people and encourage them to consider it as a career option.
Rachel Bryan Exec Assistant at AJ has been writing the training program which will be rolled out regionally.
What the scheme aims to do
Raise the status and image of careers in social care among young people, their parents and teachers.
- Provide a long-term solution to the recruitment crisis by bringing a new generation of care staff into the profession.
- Professionalise the industry by highlighting the importance of the job roles at all levels.
What is a Care Ambassador?
A Care Ambassador is
- A user of social care services who is able to give a personal account on how social care supports people in living a more fulfilled life.
- Someone who is willing to inspire and encourage people to consider a career in care.
- The Care Ambassador will be involved in working with schools and colleges but also with a wide range of other organisations such as Job Centre Plus, Connexions, Remploy and Jet etc.
- Someone who will be offering people the chance to find out as much as possible about professions in care.
- Someone who should have enthusiasm, commitment, confidence, the ability to identify with young people, a passion for the services, and the wish to inspire others