You can apply to become a volunteer of CARA (Charity No. 1135610), whish is justifiably proud of its excellent local and national reputation. Our staffs who are all volunteers achieve outstanding results for clients, and receive very positive feedback from them.

This is not easy. The work we do is challenging. Our clients are vulnerable and need considerable support. Everyone is expected to contribute to making the organisation work, and that means everyone is given targets and measured on the work they do. Working at CARA requires commitment, dedication and hard work.

This makes it an organisation that people can be proud to say they work at, and offers opportunities for gaining a real sense of achievement from the work being done.

However, CARA wants to ensure that it is a place where people want to work, and want to stay working. Therefore, it strives to be an organisation which demonstrates that it:
1. Values the contribution made by each individual, and recognises the benefits to the organisation of diversity within the workforce;
2. Places emphasis on good communication throughout the organisation;
3. Treats all staff with respect and expects them to do the same;
4. Encourages team working and support for others within the organisation;
5. Recognises the importance of training and the opportunity for individuals to continuously develop;
6. Rewards commitment and effort;
7. Encourages individuals to take on challenges and to be flexible in meeting the needs of clients ;

This means that all staff working at CARA are expected to support these principles in the way they behave at work.

In support of this approach, and to ensure that CARA is a place where people want to work, the organisation links its terms and conditions of employment to these priorities, and has policies which provide a framework which supports this way of working.

Communication
There is a monthly office meeting, and there are regular team meetings. These provide the opportunity for information sharing, and for individuals to input ideas and comments into issues being discussed.

Service plans
Each year CARA draws up a business plan which sets out what it is intending to achieve in the following twelve months. Each team then has their own service plan, which establishes standards for the service to be delivered and sets targets and outputs to be achieved in that area of work during the year. All staff are involved in the work to agree the content of what goes into these plans.

Staff development
CARA recognises that its reputation for excellence is dependant on having highly-skilled, well-motivated staff who are experts in their area. Significant emphasis is placed on staff development through the appraisal and supervision systems that we operate. All staff are supported to undertake training to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge they need to carry out their role. Everyone is encouraged to keep up to date with changes, and to recognise when the needs of the communities we serve are changing. We encourage flexibility in response to this, and actively encourage staff to take on new responsibilities, and to learn new skills.

Work/life balance
CARA is committed to promoting a positive work/life balance. The whole of the leave policy, in conjunction with the salary scales and general working conditions are aimed at assisting in this.

Staffs have the right to request flexible working in line with statutory provisions.

All staffs are entitled to 31 days holiday per year, as well as statutory days and bank holidays.

Sick pay entitlement is six months full pay and six months half pay.

CARA offers parental leave, maternity leave and adoption leave, and will offer childcare leave on full pay in certain circumstances.

It operates flexible working hours for most staff. Core hours of attendance for full-time staff on a flexible working contract are 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Some posts are not subject to flexible working as the needs of the organisation do not allow it.

Staff can take time off in lieu if they work more than their weekly hours. This is 37 hours for anyone working full-time.

We recognise that staff may sometimes face difficult situations at home or at work, and, through our insurers, we provide a free, confidential counselling help line service. This can offer support or advice to help the individual cope with their situation.

Working environment
CARA offices provide a pleasant and efficient environment in which to work. All staff are provided with the equipment that they need to enable them to do their job efficiently.

Moreover, CARA is committed to ensuring that it can fully meet the needs of disabled employees (and clients). Our facilities are wheelchair accessible, we have hearing loop facilities installed, and we can make appropriate arrangements to adapt workstations and computer facilities.