support worker

deputy manager

scheme manager

care team leader

registered manager

Swanton-Care-and-Community

In my experience, support within the organisation was inconsistent, particularly from management. I felt that recruitment and progression opportunities were not always transparent, and at times it appeared that some roles were filled without being widely advertised. This created a perception that progression did not always reflect experience or performance.

The workplace culture could feel unprofessional at times. I personally observed situations where colleagues were discussed in office settings, which came across as gossip. I also felt that some comments made about staff could be inappropriate and did not contribute to a positive working environment. In addition, shift allocation did not always seem balanced, and I felt some staff regularly received more favourable shifts.

Staff safety and wellbeing were also areas where I felt improvements could be made. Following incidents where staff were assaulted by service users, support such as debriefs was offered but, in my experience, these were not always timely. I would have valued more immediate follow up and additional support or training after challenging incidents.

I also felt that staff feedback, particularly around referrals and suitability of service users, was not always acted upon. This sometimes made the role more difficult, given the level of responsibility involved.

Overall, the role provided valuable experience and helped me develop resilience and skills in working with complex needs. However, I felt the level of support, recognition, and pay did not fully reflect the demands and risks associated with the position.

The company has been going throw massive changes in the last year and those changes are continuing at this point, with shortening of staff making cuts of budget and personal as much as possible, based on hours number of Residence and most times by the amount of profit is desirable to make. One of the other issues that have been a few of the Residential places is replacing all the staff with newer ones and if possible with staff that has no experience in care and massive knowledge of the company's wrongdoings or how to be reported. Despite the stress that has been presented in the last year due to COVID-19 and the large amounts of isolation that our residence had to be obliged and as of that would have not been enough for people with OCD, Mental Health issues from all ends of the spectrum then most of the staff have been replaced, making it, even more, harder for the Residence to feel comfortable in their own home and feel that they know those around them. Management has been trying to turn a blind eye to most of the verbal complaints made by the residence regarding their life there and the step back on the residential rehabilitation. Making poor judgment calls about the new residence admitted, and without considering how this would impact the life and wellbeing of those already living there. A major downfall in the last couple of years and the last year even more, due to the lack of CQC presence into the scene because of the national lockdown and exploiting to their best interest. Lack of clear guidance and support provided for the Support Workers to help their residence to achieve the best results. Lack of a consistent team. Lack of capable Team Leaders. Lacking capable Managerial skills. All leading to Poor Continuity of care.

Worked here for a while in Slamannan and resigned due to the management structure, had confidence that things would change but they don't.

Offered a pittance for overtime (£2 per hour on top of your wages), and that's on bank holidays/Christmas etc, no loyalty to their staff, a few of my friends still work there during COVID 19 and they're failing to keep them safe, for a young forward thinking company they sure aren't that.

The management are allowed to swan in when they like, do the hours they like and are held accountable to no one, doesn't matter that I didn't get supervisions or probationary reviews (which are company policy) no one cares unless it affects the manager directly.

The company is rotten all the way to the top, don't waste your time working here, they promise change and don't do it, they have no sickness policy either and don't actually follow any procedures.

Extremely glad to be out of a place which pays okay (unless its overtime), doesn't look after its staff and has extremely challenging behaviour (a resident smears poo everywhere), one throws cupboard doors, staff have had their noses broken and been assaulted more times than I can count. the morale is the pits.

Nothing will ever change until the whole company changes, I waited for months to see changes once a new regional director came in and nothing, he promises changes but also doesn't hold the management accountable for their poor behaviour and attitude to staff, the team leader (male) speaks to people like garbage, staff allowed to swear at each other and no one does anything, no one cares.

I can not stress this enough, don't buy it, don't work here.

Service users are a joy to work with. If you opt out of contracted hours you are not asked to do overtime, you are expected to do it and are on the rota to do it. Some staff are shown favoritism on the rota, and do not have to cover any of the more demanding shifts. Staff personal information is not held in confidence. Some staff spend more time on their mobiles phones than they do supporting the service users. Some verbal promises made at your interview are not kept because of numerous management changes. Get everything in writing. If you want to progress, then you will need to not care. Support workers do all the care work, and management are there to cut costs and make profit. Also minutes of staff meetings are edited to show only what management want to be minuted. Staff concerns and complaints are not documented. Email your manager and they will phone you so you have no record in writing. Unfavourable documentation goes missing.
Management are only concerned with completing the shift rota and show no support to staff.  Good luck with getting holiday leave approved unless you get it in a year in advance.
I used my time with them to gain experience and left to go to a genuine caring and better managed service provider. The only thing I miss are the service users and a few colleagues.

A typical day at Swanton Community Services would entail, administrating AM/PM medication, toileting and personal care, occasional days out, supporting them to cook meals/meal plan. There can be the occasional hour or two when clients are off doing their own thing but spot checks are performed to ensure client safety. 

The most enjoyable part of the job is seeing clients grow and live their life the way they want to, however, the hardest part of the job is doing right by the client, and supporting them the best way you can, and sometimes experiencing clients absconding or presenting with challenging behaviours

During my time at Swanton, I have learnt my strengths are, lone working when I know the client very well, administering medication correctly, and completing my notes on time. I have also learnt that I am incredibly empathetic towards my clients and their needs. 

Working for Swanton, I have learnt that all people with autism, epilepsy and other disabilities are different. Everyone presents in different ways and learning about all of those ways has been an experience and I am incredibly grateful to Swanton. 

The only thing I can say about Swanton that needs improving is their management, sometimes I would  not have all of my hours, or receive a rota. 

I could not be happier to be working for Swanton. Yes there have been many managerial changes these past few years, but that isn't something that can be helped, manages come, managers go, some have been great, and some....well, that's for another day. The current manager is absolutely amazing, she tells you like it is and knows what she is doing, unlike other managers who have lets standards slip slightly, this manager will stand for no Bull. 

Its good to have a change up, and management have ensured that we're fully supported through everything. Some staff have become disgruntled, but that isn't because the job isn't good, but because there lack of work ethic has been challenged, and they are no longer able to get away with it. 

working along side the the people we support, the job is amazing, and getting smiles and compliments from each person we support makes it only so much more amazing and makes you realise that all those long hours and tiring work is worth the effort, to ensure that the people we support get the same opportunities that we take for granted.

I'm glad to be where I am and I know that the work I have put in has been noticed.

Working with Swanton Care has been an exceptional experience, marked by their unwavering support and remarkable empathy as an organisation. From day one, it's evident that Swanton Care's primary focus is on the well-being and comfort of both their clients and employees.

The level of support provided by Swanton Care is nothing short of outstanding. Their dedicated staff goes above and beyond to ensure that each individual's unique needs are met with precision and care. Whether it's facilitating medical assistance or offering emotional support, Swanton Care is consistently reliable and responsive.

What truly sets Swanton Care apart is their genuine empathy. They approach their work with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those in their care. This empathy creates a nurturing environment where individuals can thrive, knowing that their concerns are heard and respected.

In a world where compassionate care can be hard to find, Swanton Care shines as a beacon of excellence. Their commitment to support and empathy makes them a trusted partner in enhancing the quality of life for those they serve. Swanton Care truly exemplifies the gold standard in care organisations

Left on shift for hours on end because no one had turned up for handover and the office fail to inform you. Communication from the office is shocking, staff sat opposite each other in the office and FAIL to talk to each other leading to information and wired being crossed/missed out. When mentioning your problems or stresses, you’re told by management to “get over it”. You get stuck in the same homes all the time so there’s no change or ability to meet new clients. Promised that you will have chance to read the clients support plan before meeting them, and that’s completely not the case, with me often turning up to a clients home without even knowing their name, let alone any of their details and sometimes with the client not even knowing I was turning up at all. Being given unrealistic start/finish times from difficult to get too locations if you rely on public transport, even telling the office you’re unable to get somewhere, they will still constantly put you in that location. Glad I left this awful company because I pushed out and made to feel like I wasn’t welcome by some members of staff as some management. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Definitely the service users, they were all so amazing this made it even harder to leave.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The management, if they didn't like you they put a target on your back. If you knew  ore then what they did or challenged them then expect to be punished for it, if you have good working relationships with staff, especially the service users expect to be moved as nothing here is person centred.
If you don't fit in to the clicks expect to be pushed a side. 


What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Awful, people work on eggshells due to the management team. People will get stabbed in the back and you will get targeted for doing your job especially if it's better then what the clicks or management can do

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
The service users are incredible, there's never a dull moment and they want to put a smile on your face as much as you want to for them, if it was just about the service users I would have stayed.
But constantly been bullied by the management it's not a nice work environment at all!

Overall, my experience at work was challenging largely due to poor management. A typical day often involved completing tasks without clear direction, dealing with changing expectations, and handling pressure with little to no guidance. Although I learned to be independent, adaptable, and resilient, these lessons came more from necessity than support. Management showed a consistent lack of support and respect, with minimal communication, limited feedback, and no recognition for effort or results. This created a workplace culture where employees did not feel valued or appreciated, which affected morale and motivation. The hardest part of the job was working under these conditions—feeling unheard, unsupported, and expected to perform without proper leadership. While there were moments of personal growth, the absence of appreciation and respect from management overshadowed what could have been a more positive and rewarding experience.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Support worker 826 salaries reported	£12.88 per hour
Deputy manager 33 salaries reported	£15.38 per hour
Scheme manager 19 salaries reported	£14.54 per hour
Care team leader 53 salaries reported	£12.92 per hour
Registered manager 26 salaries reported	£39,704 per year

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