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Hello All
I will attempt to keep my query very brief - I would really appreciate any input!
So, after working in a very corporate environment, I decided to work in the Social Care sector, as a Support Worker in a small private firm that provides a semi-independent residential placement for young people. I started in November 2014. Essentially, we take in looked-after children - kids that are under a certain section of the Children Act, and the responsibility of the London boroughs where they are from - removed from the family home.
Although I had plenty of corporate experience, I had zero experience working with challenging young people - but was very enthusiastic to do whatever training was necessary.
In my 'offer', I was told that although I would be working 'full time', I would officially be self-employed - I would submit a time-sheet at the start of every month with my hours calculated, and the money would be placed right into my bank account. Every week, myself and other staff members received a rota with the shifts - the unit is 24 hour staffed 7 days a week, so there are day, evening and night shifts.
I signed a health declaration form, but apart from that, there was no other official document I was asked to sign. I was given some training material which was dated to 2009 which covered various health and safety, confidentiality agreements etc - but I did not sign to complete any training, and there is no staff training records kept.
I was quickly promoted to Unit Manager, from Feb 1st 2015, and I negotiated to become a salaried 'employee' - so no longer 'self-employed'. Despite repeated requests, I have not been provided with a Contract of Employment. I was given a Job Description which is very generic and have been told to 'ok that first'. Despite saying I agreed to it, no contract has been forthcoming.
I have become concerned at a lack of support in a very challenging environment, where there are daily threats to me from the young people as Unit Manager - the guy who has to say 'no'! Many shifts have only one person on unit, so there is no possibility for breaks in an 8 hour shift or longer. There are no First Aid kits on unit, no CCTV in the staff office, and various health and safety issues that have been raised and not been fixed.
At this stage, the lack of support and training, I feel, is impacting on the young people I am trying to support. My boss is working on a separate placement so is on unit infrequently. When I do hear from her, it is usually in the form of negative feedback. This coupled with the stress of working with 16-18 year old challenging people has resulted in my desire to leave the company.
So - questions!
1. How much notice do I need to provide if I have not been given any Contract of Employment?
2. Is the business operating illegally by having staff on a rota, although stating they are self-employed?
3. Can I immediately leave my job due to concerns for my safety?
4. Can I immediately leave my job at the uncertainty of not having a Contract of Employment?
If you need further information, please let me know - thanks so much for reading!
Anon
I will attempt to keep my query very brief - I would really appreciate any input!
So, after working in a very corporate environment, I decided to work in the Social Care sector, as a Support Worker in a small private firm that provides a semi-independent residential placement for young people. I started in November 2014. Essentially, we take in looked-after children - kids that are under a certain section of the Children Act, and the responsibility of the London boroughs where they are from - removed from the family home.
Although I had plenty of corporate experience, I had zero experience working with challenging young people - but was very enthusiastic to do whatever training was necessary.
In my 'offer', I was told that although I would be working 'full time', I would officially be self-employed - I would submit a time-sheet at the start of every month with my hours calculated, and the money would be placed right into my bank account. Every week, myself and other staff members received a rota with the shifts - the unit is 24 hour staffed 7 days a week, so there are day, evening and night shifts.
I signed a health declaration form, but apart from that, there was no other official document I was asked to sign. I was given some training material which was dated to 2009 which covered various health and safety, confidentiality agreements etc - but I did not sign to complete any training, and there is no staff training records kept.
I was quickly promoted to Unit Manager, from Feb 1st 2015, and I negotiated to become a salaried 'employee' - so no longer 'self-employed'. Despite repeated requests, I have not been provided with a Contract of Employment. I was given a Job Description which is very generic and have been told to 'ok that first'. Despite saying I agreed to it, no contract has been forthcoming.
I have become concerned at a lack of support in a very challenging environment, where there are daily threats to me from the young people as Unit Manager - the guy who has to say 'no'! Many shifts have only one person on unit, so there is no possibility for breaks in an 8 hour shift or longer. There are no First Aid kits on unit, no CCTV in the staff office, and various health and safety issues that have been raised and not been fixed.
At this stage, the lack of support and training, I feel, is impacting on the young people I am trying to support. My boss is working on a separate placement so is on unit infrequently. When I do hear from her, it is usually in the form of negative feedback. This coupled with the stress of working with 16-18 year old challenging people has resulted in my desire to leave the company.
So - questions!
1. How much notice do I need to provide if I have not been given any Contract of Employment?
2. Is the business operating illegally by having staff on a rota, although stating they are self-employed?
3. Can I immediately leave my job due to concerns for my safety?
4. Can I immediately leave my job at the uncertainty of not having a Contract of Employment?
If you need further information, please let me know - thanks so much for reading!
Anon
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