general assistant

teaching assistant

social worker

support worker

elementary school teacher

NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

As midday supervisor I come in 15 mins. before the start of lunch, sorting my work equipment for the day. Due to a rota system, my placement in the school varied from day to day, either ensuring the smooth running of the lunch hall, ensuring everyone has enough time to eat AND play or patrolling the playgrounds to ensure pupils safety and well being, combined with first aid duties.
The initial agreement also included a verbal promise of extra hours and Teaching assistant opportunities which were never fulfilled.
Even though I was not the team leader I was forced to take charge of goings on, on a regular basis, coordinating co-workers and making decisions that should not have been mine to make. 
Team leaders were insufficient and absent from their designated posts all the time and other members of staff were reluctant to do their jobs, leaving only two people, myself included, struggling to do everyone else`s work and care for around 200 primary school children. Although the women I worked with were great personalities outside the work place, their work ethic and self initiative was appalling. 
Having raised this issue time and time again with the staff management, I had to come to the conclusion that this was not a work environment I was happy in. Although I admire the loyalty towards senior staff members, I did not agree with this loyalty potentially sacrificing the children`s well being. 
The most enjoyable part of this work and the reason for my reluctance to leave, were the children and my feeling of responsibility for them and my duty of care to them.

My role was under a zero hours contract which is what the council is introducing more of to meet their budgets, this type of contract did not work for me at all, as some weeks I was in four days, the next week it might be just the one day, so it's not great if you want a regular income.
A typical day in my role was to enter data onto the internal computer systems, issue registration forms to people and general office work, nothing special or too complicated.
From this role I quickly learned office work is not really for me, if you have worked in an office before, this is an easy fit for you, but if you are looking for a change in your career to do something different I would not suggest this.
The management was relatively good, my line manager was friendly, welcoming and understanding. The problems come from head office. I.e. The Government who are constantly making cuts to the budgets, forcing constant shuffles which people are starting to get sick of.

The hardest part of the job was finding anything motivating to carry on, I simply could not do this hence why I left. In addition it was hard to fit in being the youngest person there, the rest of my team were significantly older than me and already had their 'social circles' formed.

Working for NYCC long term can encompass many restructures causing a great deal of anxiety.  It nearly always results in loss of hours and pay disproportionately at the lower to middle banded jobs whilst the management tier retains good staffing levels. I've had mainly good line managers but they are limited in the support they can offer as systems and working practices are shaped at senior level with insufficient meaningful input from the workforce. 
There are some excellent colleagues to work alongside at NYCC but with some exceptions. Some staff have perceived less favourable treatment compared to others. From the outside looking in, this appears to be sometimes aggravated by personality clashes.
The holiday entitlement is good and pensions are better than some private companies. However, salaries are subject to Central Government influences more than local government level decision making. Therefore, whenever the economy takes a downturn, public sector pay can be frozen longterm. The effect of the trend towards frequent pay freeze is likely to result in less favourable remuneration in future.
In summary, there are pros and cons of working for NYCC.


I have worked for NYCC for nearly 2 years now. I enjoyed my job to begin with but the more time I spend there the more I realise its not all its cracked up to be. 

Don't get me wrong it is easy to progress within the role if you want to, but that's one of the only good things about the job.

Management often don't have time to hear your complaints or do, then nothing gets done about it. Very little support for staff members who are struggling with feeling overworked and underpaid, which is unfortunately the case with this company

Expect to work shift patterns that do not allow much time to sleep or relax. How can care providers expect us to work a 7am shift when we have finished at 10pm the night before?

Enjoyable place to work as in most of my colleagues are fantastic people, however it is the management that lets them down. Which is unfortunate to make such a general statement as I find my line manager amazing at what she does, but this is not reciprocated throughout the management team.

I have worked SO hard at this job and feel SO under-appreciated. I feel the work I do is rarely recognised by management and feeling stressed at work is a massive issue. 



Caseloads are constantly over 35,  you do everything from assessment/CIN/CP /PLO and issuing care proceedings.  Cases are supposed to transfer at the first LAC review but there is constant push back so you end up keeping LAC children as well.  The biggest pressure is the additional expectation that you work evenings, overnights and weekends to look after children who come into our care-  in holiday cottages.   I have been directed to do this on numerous occasions.  It is exhausting and you have no work /life balance.  Everyone in the team is exhausted and there is usually someone in tears.  Nobody dares say no as there is a culture of fear, blame and shame from the bosses.  My team manager tries to be supportive but they are also exhausted. 
Flexible working requests are frowned upon and rejected. You are just expected to work the hours required of the service -  which are excessive!  
I am burnt out and have no life outside of work.  
The big bosses seem to ignore what’s going wrong and only want to hear what’s going right. It is a terrible place to work,  lots of people have left so you have to cover vacancies as we don’t use agency workers.    I have already made the decision to leave, it’s soul destroying. 

THIS REVIEW IS ABOUT WILF WARD.
Because some of Wilf Ward managers are so poor at managing staff no one wants to work for the company so they cannot recruit. They are now adverting through the council thinking it will make a difference.
Wilf Ward are currently bringing in a new policy that staff cannot wear sandles, open toed shoes, hoodies or ripped jeans. This is going down like a lead balloon with current staff.  
You would think the fact they cannot recruit they would not be bothered about how staff dress who pay a fortune for a pair of designer jeans to wear at work.
They are discriminating against the front line staff with their new dress code whilst managers get to wear what they want.
They won't supply footwear or uniform but want to tell you what you can wear.
They are adding another nail to the Wilf Ward coffin. What a shame.
Lets hope all the staff employed currently don't turn up in ripped jeans, hoodies and opened toed footwear because if they have to discipline everyone and sack them they will end up with egg on their face and no staff.

What is the best part of working at the company?
I enjoyed my time working for nycc as a domestic assistant cleaning a school. Managers are understanding and flexible with start and finish times of you are a key holder. You feel valued as an employee. Working hours can fit around childcare and holidays are taken at end of term time fitting on around school hours with your children. I would love to go back to work for nycc but sadly my ill health isn't any better at the moment. I would recommend working for nycc you get support from management and valued. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
I didn't find my position as a domestic assistant stressful, you can get into your own routine to make your tasks easier for you. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Fantastic employer who value their staff and friendly managers. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I would clean a school after closing and it was flexible with start and finish times as I was a key holder. Cleaning is to a high standard and you get plenty of time to finish your cleaning tasks.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Harrogate Borough Council who were happy to have me as part of their team to help deal with a backlog of work.  The staff were very friendly and the area is a lovely place to work with lots to see and do in the area.  Whilst working for Harrogate Borough Council I was able to work as part of a team when required or alone with ease.  I picked up new procedures and even added to my skill set a different document management system used by other various Council's across the UK.  The management were really easy to get along with and answered any queries happily.  The hardest part of the job was having to stay away from home, having a little boy I found this very difficult but would not say that there was anything about the role itself that was too difficult.  The most enjoyable part of the job was seeing the work reducing and knowing that I was part of a team providing a good service and helping my colleagues whilst working there, I would happily return.

Very negative working environment with a corrupt management team trying to save their own jobs on the sinking ship that is adult social care at North Yorkshire Council. 
- Unsupportive management 
- Penny pinch off their staff’s wages. 
- Policies that put service users at risk due to how slow they are. 
- Blocking of progression to save the council money. 
- No support when physically or mentally ill, on your return you are made to feel guilty for being ill. 
I could go on and on and on, if you are reading this review just do yourself a favour and stay well clear. Especially if you are a newly qualified worker. I see this all the time as I am still an employee but looking for something else. Newly qualified workers are over worked, under valued and the organisation are happy to put your hard earned registration at risk rather than simply supporting you. 

My experience working for North Yorkshire Council…..
Continuously being looked down upon by my manager, giving me perpetual feelings of not being ‘good enough’ for the role. 
Not being respected, manager always goes against any of my autonomous decisions, just to save money but puts service users at risk. 
Lazy workers get the same benefits, pay and praise than the workers that are doing all the work. 
‘Yes’ women/men are given all the work until they burn out. If you don’t play ball you are placed on a PIP (Professional Improvement Plan). Which is legal code for ‘leave and get a new job’. 
Toxic management team in general that are all desperate for a promotion. Not a healthy working environment at all. Always pass the book. 
Oh and if you drive, you are encouraged to park in places that are likely to get you a ticket. Everyone on my team has at least had one ticket, if you pay it early it’s £25 a pop. 


Top Job Titles	Average salary
General assistant 135 salaries reported	£25,884 per year
Teaching assistant 104 salaries reported	£25,690 per year
Social worker 153 salaries reported	£40,546 per year
Support worker 259 salaries reported	£13.82 per hour
Elementary school teacher 18 salaries reported	£38,144 per year

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