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Dimensions Assistant locality Manager Tina Cracknell has featured in a Norfolk County Council video sharing how she found her dream career in the care sector, supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism. A hardworking mother, former barmaid and former chef, Tina explains how she took the leap to pursue a career that she loves.
We are delighted to say that the Dimensions group has officially been recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Wellbeing in 2022, by Great Place to Work® UK. Dimensions has been recognised as a Great Place to Work® for the last three years running (the 2022 list will be announced later this year) and we are pleased to add this wellbeing accolade to our achievements. We are proud of our wellbeing offer in Dimensions (including schemes such as the Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders) and the caring environment created by colleagues who put our values into practice. Importantly, this wellbeing award is based on feedback from colleagues in our last colleague survey. Based on colleagues’ responses to topics such as job satisfaction, work-life balance and sense of fulfilment, Dimensions is placed in the top 32 UK Best Workplaces for Wellbeing in the ‘super large’ category, alongside big business like Santander and Hilton.
Brett wants to stress that his job is very different to how some people perceive ‘care work’. “It's nothing like I thought,” he says. “I thought it would be a regimented, institutionalised world – one where you're stuck in the house all day, waiting for the clock to chime… but here you come to their house, and the person lets you know want they want, so if they wish to lay in or be out the door at the crack of dawn, they get it!” Brett continues, “We're not carers, we're support workers, and they are two massively different things.”
Scott (not his real name) is man in his sixties with learning disabilities who has also been diagnosed with early-onset dementia. So we thought now was the time to draw up a making memories list to help Scott live his best life, despite his health challenges.
Support Worker Darryl Richards first met Pedro (not his real name) as an agency worker. Pedro came across as an angry man. He would ram things in his wheelchair, tip it up, shout and bang the floor, the walls and the doors. His staff told Darryl not to worry because Pedro was simply ‘always like that’. Darryl met Pedro again when he became a support worker at Discovery, but Pedro’s bad reputation had preceded him. In fact, the same old stories about him had become exaggerated over the years. Darryl was determined to see past Pedro’s behaviours of distress to understand the triggers behind them. He put Pedro at the centre of his support planning and challenged the historic negativity. You can read Darryl’s moving and inspiring blog explaining how he reimagined Pedro on the link attached
“You can get to where you want to” – Tina’s career journey with Dimensions" Dimensions Assistant locality Manager Tina Cracknell has featured in a Norfolk County Council video sharing how she found her dream career in the care sector, supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism. A hardworking mother, former barmaid and former chef, Tina explains how she took the leap to pursue a career that she loves.
Following painstaking external assessment, Dimensions has again been recognised as a “Disability Confident Leader” – the top tier of award under the Disability Confident scheme - The policies in BSL are a brilliant example of best practice – this is the first organisation I have seen doing this! - Really great to see that if a disabled applicant was facing barriers completing an online application, they can visit the office where colleagues will support them to make an application! This is a great example of offering flexibility and accepting applications in an alternative format. - Excellent work is being done here! Great to see you adopt a flexible and inclusive approach to recruiting disabled people. - Great to see! Work trials can be an effective adjustment for people with learning disabilities and or autism where the traditional interview may pose barriers. -Great work – lots of great videos and case studies on your website regarding the people supported by Dimensions Great to see that you allow employees to take Disability Leave and that this is backed up in your Leave Policy.
Tina always wanted to help people and to work in the care sector, but didn't think she'd be able to without the right qualifications. Her extensive life experience, empathy and attitude counted for much more than she thought. Since starting, she's gained qualifications and been supported to learn everything she needs to know. She also now has a management qualification, and has developed a really rewarding career working with adults in a supported living environment.
We are proud to have achieved Investors in Diversity awards, received Action on Hearing Loss and Louder than Words accreditation, and been recognised as Disability Confident Leaders. Being a truly inclusive, welcoming organisation is important to us.
This Black History Month, Mbye Sey, Dimensions Forensic Services Locality Manager blogs about the steps Dimensions are taking towards greater diversity and inclusion.
