Employee Benefits & Culture
At Karuna Care London, we know that the quality-of-care people receive will only ever be as good as the conditions in which staff are asked to work. From the outset, we are building a service where colleagues are treated fairly, supported properly and given the tools they need to do a good job.
We are still in our development and registration phase, but we are already clear about the kind of employer we intend to be once the home is operational.
What it feels like to work here
Karuna means compassion, and that applies to staff as much as to residents. The home is being designed as a small, calm environment where people know one another by name and where managers are visible and approachable. We want staff to feel that they are part of a stable team rather than a constantly changing workforce.
Day to day, this means:
- Clear expectations and honest communication
- A manageable workload, with realistic staffing levels
- Support from seniors and managers when issues arise
- A culture where questions and concerns are taken seriously
We expect staff to treat residents and colleagues with respect; in return, staff can expect the same from the organisation.
Pay and core benefits
When recruitment begins, our intention is to offer a straightforward, fair package that reflects the responsibility involved in adult social care work. This will include:
- Competitive, transparent pay
Pay rates will be clearly set out for each role, with enhancements where appropriate for nights, weekends or additional responsibilities. We aim to be open about how pay is structured, so there is no confusion or unnecessary secrecy. - Pension
Staff will be enrolled into a workplace pension scheme in line with legal requirements, with employer contributions to help them plan for the future. - Paid holidays
Annual leave will meet or exceed statutory entitlements. We expect staff to take their holiday and to come back rested, not burnt out. - Statutory entitlements
Sickness, maternity, paternity and other statutory rights will be handled lawfully and fairly, with clear information provided from the start of employment.
Details of pay and benefits will be confirmed in individual contracts and staff handbooks as posts are offered.
Work–life balance and rotas
Adult social care is a 24‑hour service, but that does not mean staff should be treated as if they are always available. Our rota approach will be based on:
- Predictable patterns, published in good time
- Consideration of staff commitments where reasonably possible
- Sensible use of overtime and bank staff, rather than relying on constant last‑minute changes
We recognise that people have families, studies and other responsibilities. While we cannot promise every request can be met, we can promise that staff will be listened to and treated fairly.
Training, supervision and development
Karuna Care London is being built with a strong emphasis on learning. Staff will not be left to “work it out as they go along”. Instead:
- All new colleagues will receive a structured induction, including shadowing experienced staff
- Mandatory training will cover safeguarding, person‑centred care, mental capacity, health and safety, infection prevention and other essentials
- Regular supervision will provide space to reflect, raise concerns and receive feedback
- Additional development opportunities will be available for those who want to progress into senior or specialist roles
We want staff to feel that mistakes can be discussed openly and used as learning, rather than something to hide for fear of blame.
Culture, values and behaviour
We are aiming for a culture that is professional, calm and straightforward. In practice this means:
- Respectful communication between staff at all levels
- Zero tolerance of bullying, harassment or discrimination
- Clear boundaries around professional conduct and confidentiality
- Encouragement to speak up if something does not feel right, supported by a whistleblowing policy that protects staff who raise concerns in good faith
Our expectations about behaviour will be made explicit in induction, policies and ongoing supervision, so that there is no ambiguity about what is acceptable.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Karuna Care London intends to be an employer where people of different backgrounds, ages, faiths, nationalities, genders and identities can work together respectfully. Recruitment, promotion and day‑to‑day treatment at work will be based on merit, capability and values, not on assumptions or stereotypes.
We also recognise that many staff in social care are internationally recruited or have caring responsibilities outside work. Our policies will take this reality into account and aim to support staff fairly within what is operationally possible.
Regulatory status
Karuna Care London is currently progressing through registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and is not yet open to residents. Recruitment will be phased in line with that process. The employee benefits and culture described on this page reflect our intended approach as an employer and will be implemented as posts are filled and the service moves towards becoming fully operational.