incentives
We offer two schemes to support people joining, or referring someone to, some of our care roles.
Golden hello
A one-off payment of £2,000 for people who are new to care or returning to care, who join one of the qualifying posts.
You qualify if you've either never worked in a comparable care role before, or you're returning to care after a break of at least three months from a similar role.
The payment's made after you've completed three months in post. You'll need to stay in a qualifying post for a year, if you leave sooner, you'll repay a pro-rata amount, unless you're leaving for reasons like redundancy, ill health, or death in service.
Which roles qualify
- Care at Home Assistant (Days and Night Support)
- Care Organiser (Care at Home service only)
- Mobile Community Responder
- Social Care Assistant (in Adult Residential Units and Supported Living Accommodation)
Relief posts and Temporary contracted posts, with contracted hours under 14hrs a week, don't qualify.
How to claim
After 3 months in post, complete a claim form and submit it to your manager for approval.
Refer a friend
If you're already an Orkney Islands Council employee and you refer someone who successfully joins one of the qualifying posts above and stays for three months, you'll receive £750.
The person you refer needs to name you as their referrer on their application. You can receive up to three refer a friend payments in total.
Who can refer
Any council employee, with a few exceptions, you can't refer someone if you're involved in recruiting or interviewing for the post, or if you're part of the team that runs this scheme.
How to claim
Once the person you referred has completed 3 months in post, complete a claim form and send it to their manager for approval.
Need help?
Contact Dylan Johnstone at Dylan.Johnston@orkney.gov.uk or 01856 873535 ext.3745 for help with either scheme.