OSJCT to pay current real living wage or above

The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), the UK’s leading not-for-profit care provider, is pleased to announce that all employees will be paid the current real Living Wage from 1 April 2022, with all employees paid at an hourly rate of £9.90 or above, and all care colleagues being paid over £10 an hour.

The decision by the charity’s Board of Trustees and Executive Team to voluntarily pay the real Living Wage Foundation’s current rates highlights the care provider’s commitment to recognise and reward its workforce. It also signals to prospective employees how much the Trust values its workforce.

Dan Hayes, CEO of OSJCT, said: “Social care is a rewarding and fulfilling profession which provides a vital service to some of the most vulnerable adults in the community. Recently, colleagues have risen to some of the most testing challenges the sector has ever faced, including the pandemic. The Trust has already prioritised a number of measures to support and reward our colleagues, and we are delighted to confirm that we will pay the current real Living Wage from April.”

Government investment in social care and its workforce has long been neglected, and the Trust has been actively advocating for long-term reform of the sector, including fair pay, directly with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), MPs and other key stakeholders. In addition to today’s announcement, late last year the Trust also announced an early pay award for all frontline employees, effective from 1 November 2021.

The Trust supports its workforce through a range of additional initiatives, including access to counselling, financial and legal information via its Employee Assistance Programme, a rewards scheme, and health and wellbeing support. The Trust’s senior leaders are also considering establishing a hardship fund for employees in need.

The Trust has been running a recruitment campaign to celebrate its workforce heroes and inspire others to consider a career in social care.

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