care assistant

registered nurse

support worker

registered mental health nurse

nurse

Scp-Recruitment

I have a part time social work job, and travel a lot as my partner lives away. Working with SCP allows me to pick up shift work when I'm available. I tend to find there are usually plenty of shifts available in general. Occasionally no shifts come through for a day I am available, but that's Sod's law, not a reflection on the agency.

I've had a couple of shifts cancelled, which is annoying, but the nature of the work. Last minute cancellations are still paid (this is much rarer because of the obvious cost implications for service providers). What I find frustrating is the emails stating firmly and strictly that workers MUST NOT cancel shifts at the last minute, something I have never done. It might be more effective/better for staff morale to focus on those workers who consistently cancel shifts at the last minute rather than contacting staff who honour shifts even when unwell. Also worth considering that sometimes workers need to cancel shifts, and it's not necessarily "bad practice." I've also been chased for my availability after having provided it 2+ times, but I seem to have resolved this a little more recently. They have introduced a "star of the month" shout out to workers who have gone the extra mile, which I think is a nice way of promoting morale.

I enjoy the variety, and having the opportunity to go to different services/meet different people. I'm a confident and experienced worker - I'm not saying this to be as arrogant as it sounds, but to highlight that if you have never been a support worker before, it could be very daunting/stressful to rock up to different places all the time. It can be a really good way to get some experience, but I think you need to be aware of this - I've noticed some comments from others about the difficulties of being placed in different services all the time. Again, this is the nature of the work, and give some thought as to whether getting a relief post with 1 service may be the better option if working in different places every time fills you with dread - this will be more restrictive if your own availability's quite limited.

The other factor with this is that you don't receive regular supervision, which admittedly is very variable between different services anyway, but I think it's important, particularly for new workers. I think you need to be a pretty confident person/worker for this kind of job to work for you.

Available shifts are communicated with eye watering regularity during office hours, and last minute shifts also come through out of hours. Another agency I'm signed up to has an online tool for workers to provide their availability, but I've found SCP's booking system has worked better for me in terms of getting shifts pencilled in to my diary in advance. The other one tends to just offer last minute shifts based on my availability provided, by which time I've already something booked with SCP/have made other plans cos, you know, life. Shifts are confirmed on a first come/first serve basis, so it can feel like a bit of a race sometimes! 

If you're wondering whether you could make a decent full-time wage from this line of work, my honest answer would be I don't know, but I know people who have managed it I think, it just requires working a lot of shifts in a lot of different places, potentially travelling a fair bit within that. I personally wouldn't want to rely on agency work for my exclusive income, but that's individual difference, same as variety's not for every1.

Training opportunities are decent, albeit unpaid.

Opportunities for working in the same place for a period of time with potential for long-term recruitment opportunities do come in. I'm not sure if the same rules apply to this in regards of the service having to pay SCP a fee/the worker needing to work 500 hours through SCP prior to taking on long-term contract directly with the other service. About this, it's something else I've seen commented on - I don't agree with it either, but capitalism. If things were fair, services would be able to recruit and retain their own regular staff, providing more consistency for the people they support, and agency worker requirements wouldn't be so high. But that's a political issue, not an issue with SCP specifically.

Pay scales vary between each service, I've received hourly rates from £8.50-10/hour. Travel requirements vary.

If you're looking for some ad hoc, flexible hours to fit in to other life commitments, and can cope with the unpredictable nature of hours/location, SCP could be for you.

Really terrible company to work for. When you first start with them they are lovely and friendly but become quite cheeky. Won’t let you cancel a shift even if it is a one off and really needed, they can actually become quite nasty if you try. There’s often a lack of shifts, and sometimes only shifts available require you to travel quite a distance which is impossible if you don’t drive. They also don’t tell you when you join that if you want to leave the company to work for another service that you have been to through SCP, that either the service you are going to has to pay a very large finding fee or you have to work over 500 hours for the new service through SCP which can take several months which means positions can be filled by available candidates before hours can be completed meaning you don’t get a job you might really want. There is also a very high turn over of staff within the office, and appears a lack of communication between office staff as often there is several members off staff emailing you asking the same questions that you have already answered for other staff members.

Have been with SCP for over a year now, there are plenty of shifts to choose from that you can work round you’re family or another job if you’re looking for a second job. 
Last year the office went through a big staff turnover which caused alot of chaos this has settled now & the new team are on the ball, plenty of shifts & regular updates on a daily basis of shifts. 
I love my job & have gained so much experience working in different services, supporting vulnerable people in there lives has great job satisfaction to me.

SCP is a good agency to work for you can work as little or as much as you want. The manager is very nice and the staff from the agency you meet on shifts are nice too. You always get paid on time unless you forget to put your time sheet in. Sometimes you get to work at one place for a while other times you find you move around. Working for this agency is very flexible you can choose what shifts you do, and if you are not keen on were you are working you can get work elsewhere. 

Enjoyed my short time with the company.
Only worked a few hours a week which suited my life with children.
I was unable to settle as I found it difficult to go into a new establishment each shift as I felt there was no time to built trust and relationships with the residents and it felt like I was starting a new job each day. However the SCP team and staff out there doing an incredible job were very welcoming and helpful.

Horrible two faced staff who get people in trouble through lying. You don’t have a leg to stand on. The job itself is great and most of the staff are nice, but just a shame they can’t weed out the bad ones and chose to side with them. You get left hung out to dry and end up stressed and confused. Also they give good shifts to the favoured members of staff and leave the bad shifts for people desperate for work.

Good job and flexible!Is ideal for a second job or if you want some extra money!Management is OK and they treat you like a human beign!Also you can work foor other agency and after can see the difference! Sorry for my English but this is good thing for beginer and good point for SCP,they give a chance for everybody who wants too work!

Fast paced environment. Friendly team.

Typical day would include, advertising positions, arranging interviews and organising interview locations.
Travelling to various locations within the M25 and south into Kent and Surrey to hold multiple interviews.

Dealing with compliance of candidates.

Avoid like the plague you will regret working for them sooner or later. Mine is not the only bad experience they try to get away with low rates tell you job is long term then 3 or 4 days later you're replaced once they get someone cheaper don't trust them

SCP Recruitment provide a number of temporary and permanent opportunities throughout Aberdeen City, shire and Moray. Recieve shifts on a daily basis and have open communication keeping me informed of changes.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Care assistant 107 salaries reported	£13.84 per hour
Registered nurse 18 salaries reported	£15.89 per hour
Support worker 10 salaries reported	£14.10 per hour
Registered mental health nurse 10 salaries reported	£37,250 per year
Nurse 10 salaries reported	£35.15 per hour

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