All new employees are required to complete mandatory induction training before working unsupervised with children. Mandatory training includes:

• Child Protection and Safeguarding (Level 3)
• Trauma-Informed Care and Attachment
• First Aid at Work (Paediatric)
• Health and Safety in the Workplace
• Fire Safety
• Manual Handling
• Medication Administration (where applicable)
• Physical Intervention / Positive Handling (where applicable)

Support Workers are expected to work towards a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare within 18 months of employment. Funded training is provided by Harborough Mews.

Harborough Mews employees are entitled to the following leave provisions:

• Annual Leave: 28 days per year (inclusive of bank holidays), increasing to 33 days after 5 years of service
• Sick Leave: Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) applies from day one; enhanced sick pay after probationary period
• Maternity / Paternity / Adoption Leave: In line with current statutory entitlements
• Bereavement Leave: Up to 5 days paid bereavement leave for immediate family members
• Compassionate Leave: Considered on a case-by-case basis by line managers

All leave requests must be submitted via the staff management system and approved by the line manager in advance where possible.

Safeguarding is paramount at Harborough Mews. All employees are subject to:

• An Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List check prior to commencement of employment
• DBS renewal every three years as a minimum (or immediately if concerns arise)
• Annual safeguarding refresher training
• Mandatory reporting of any changes in personal circumstances that may affect fitness to work with children

Employment is conditional upon receipt of a satisfactory DBS certificate. Any disclosures will be assessed individually in line with our safer recruitment policy.

Harborough Mews is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace free from discrimination. We do not discriminate on the basis of:

• Age, gender, gender reassignment, or sexual orientation
• Race, ethnicity, nationality, or religion/belief
• Disability (physical or mental)
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Marriage or civil partnership

We actively encourage applications from individuals with lived experience relevant to our service user group and from underrepresented communities.

We take all employee concerns seriously. Harborough Mews has clear procedures for both grievances and whistleblowing:

• Employees are encouraged to raise concerns with their line manager in the first instance
• Formal grievances should be submitted in writing to the Registered Manager or Director
• Whistleblowing concerns relating to child safety or organisational malpractice can be raised internally or reported directly to Ofsted or the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
• No employee will be penalised for raising a genuine concern in good faith