Working For Ability
Are We Right for Each Other?
Ability is committed to becoming a “first choice” provider of housing and support services for peopl who want to live more independently.
All of our services are designed to enable our service users to enjoy five key components of independent living: privacy, dignity, choice, respect and participation. To be successful, each and every member of our staff must work with us as part of an interdependent team to help our service users achieve their individual potential to live independently in their own homes.
If you think that you have the right qualities and positive attitudes towards working with people who want to live more independently, please have a think about your responses to the questions below:
- Do you treat all people as individuals each with their own unique needs and wants?
- Do you value the differences between people and can you support each individual to exercise choice and achieve their own goals?
- When you meet a disabled person do you see their abilities before their disabilities?
- Can you show respect for another person’s home while supporting them to live in that home?
- Do you believe that everyone, regardless of vulnerability or impairment deserves the chance to live in their own home?
These are the fundamental attitudes on which the ethos of Ability’s service provision and operating culture is rooted. So, if you can wholeheartedly answer ‘Yes’ to all of these questions, we would definitely like to hear more from you.
If you have a positive attitude towards people who want to live more independently and are passionate about helping them to achieve their full potential, Ability will provide you with all the support, training, encouragement and recognition that you need to develop both a successful career for yourself and the best possible service for your clients.
A culture of interdependency:
Interdependency is simply about depending on each other. It inspires a healthy mix of involvement, responsibility, consultation, commitment, support and communication at all levels within the organisation from the most junior housing support worker right through to the chief executive and the board of trustees.
Working with Ability is about interdependency. There is no ‘us and them’. Every member of staff is equally valued, consulted, listened to and recognised.
Developing Your Career with Ability
One of Ability’s eight priority business objectives is to be a ‘first choice’ employer. Achieving our Investors in People accreditation three years ago reflects our commitment to realising this objective and our latest IIP Review Report is clear evidence of our success in this area.
“There is a systematic yet responsive approach to helping people develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to deliver the Association’s aims. I have no doubt that the processes in place to support people’s development will be strong enough to cope as and when Ability does expand to be the First Choice employer in the sector.”
INVESTORS IN PEOPLE ASSESSOR, January 2007
Ongoing support:
Ability is committed to supporting every member of staff by providing well-structured Induction Programmes, regular supervision throughout your employment, and annual Performance Appraisals.
In addition, there are staff conferences, awaydays, a staff intranet with interactive discussion boards, staff surveys, manuals and a comprehensive Staff Handbook to provide ongoing support.
Excellent track record of internal promotion:
Ability actively encourages members of staff to apply for more senior posts and, when the opportunity arises, to take on extra responsibility to see how they get on. For example, a large number of our current management team – including our Head of Support Services, four service managers and at least ten team leaders – began their Ability career in more junior posts.
“We encourage all our staff to have a go at taking on greater responsibilities before having to commit themselves. By giving people the confidence to prove themselves in a trial situation, they are much more likely to succeed.”
HELEN BUCKLAND, SERVICE MANAGER
To find out how we invest in our people click here
Ability is committed to diversity and equal opportunities, both in the provision of housing and support services, and in the employment of staff. We aim to provide fair and equal treatment for all. Please read our Diversity & Inclusion Statement.