GENERAL INFROMATION FOR APPLICANTS

Dear Applicant

We recommend you read the following before completing the application form:-

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Although the Company has a locally negotiated remuneration system for all employees, some conditions of service, as set out in the National Joint Council for Local Government Services (contained in the handbook known as the ‘Green Book’) or The Joint Negotiating Committee for Local Authorities Craft & Associated Employees (contained in the handbook known as the ‘Red Book’) will apply to certain posts.

PAYMENT OF SALARY

The Company operates its own grading structure and salaries are reviewed annually. Payment of salary is made monthly, on the 20 th of the month, through the BACS system (Bank Automated Clearing Services) direct to your bank or building society account.

PENSION SCHEME

South Somerset Homes Limited is an admitted body of the Local Government Pension Scheme. It is a 'final salary' pension scheme and provides an attractive range of guaranteed, inflation-proofed benefits. Employee contributions are currently 6% of pensionable earnings, although the whole scheme is currently under review nationally and employee contributions are likely to rise. Benefits are transferable from earlier local government employment and may be transferable from other employers' schemes. The Company pays contributions to the Fund as certified by an Actuary. There will be no employer contributions where an employee opts for a personal pension. Employees may retire from age 65 . Further details will be provided at the appointment stage.

NORMAL WORKING HOURS

The standard working hours for office-based staff are 37 per week, Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 5.15 pm (4.45 pm on Friday) with one-hour lunch break. The Company operates flexible working hours, which at the discretion of the department manager, allows staff to start work between 8.00 am and 9.30 am and finish between 4.00 pm and 6.30 pm. A lunch break of at least 30 minutes must be taken between 12.00 pm and 2.00 pm. Full details of the scheme are available on appointment. At some offices staff work either staggered or fixed hours to provide cover. The appropriate working patterns will be explained at the interview.

For Scheme vacancies please refer to the advert and job description for further details.

The hours for the Company’s tradespeople are as follows:

Monday to Wednesday 8.00 am to 4.00 pm
Thursday & Friday 8.00 am to 3.45 pm

HOLIDAYS

The following annual leave entitlements apply (pro-rated for temporary staff according to the length of their contract and for part-time staff according to working pattern and the number of hours they work per week):-

The entitlements include 2 extra statutory days and in addition to this entitlement to all public holidays are honoured.

Your period of continuous service for statutory employment rights and holiday entitlement dates from the date of commencement of employment with the Company.

RELOCATION EXPENSES

Details of the Company’s scheme are included on a separate sheet if appropriate to this vacancy.

THE HEALTH SCHEME

South Somerset Homes offer staff the opportunity to join this voluntary health scheme cash plan run by the private company called ‘The Health Scheme’.

EMPLOYEE SUPPORT

South Somerset Homes provides an Employee Support counselling and information service through ‘AXA PPP Healthcare’, available 24 hours a day, free to all employees.

HEALTH SCREENING

The Company offers a general health-screening programme to all employees.

SUBSIDISED CHILDCARE

Childcare vouchers are available to staff with pre-school aged children. Further details are available on request from Corporate Services.

JOB SHARING

The Company's Job Share Scheme increases the variety and seniority of work available to people unable or unwilling to work full-time hours owing to other commitments e.g. caring or family responsibilities; part-time study; disability; other areas of interest. Job sharing means two people share the hours and duties of one full-time job and applications from people wishing to job-share are welcomed for most advertised posts.

MEDICAL ASSESSMENT

Any offer of appointment will be subject to a satisfactory medical assessment, which may include a medical examination in certain cases.

IDENTITY CHECK

Further to a change in 2004 to Section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, South Somerset Homes is obliged to ask all successful job applicants to provide certain key documents to prove that they are permitted to work in the United Kingdom.

Prior to joining, new employees will need to produce either a valid Passport or a National Insurance card, a P45, P60 or a letter from a Government agency and one other document, which could include a full birth certificate, certification of naturalisation or authorised letter from the Home Office.

CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS

If you have declared a criminal conviction and the interview panel believe this to have a bearing on the requirements of the post, they will discuss the matter with you at the interview. If the panel does not raise a declared conviction with you, you can be assured that they have taken the view that it should not be taken into account in deciding your suitability for the post.

BACKGROUND CHECK

Successful applicants will have their background checked with the Criminal Records Bureau, if appropriate to this vacancy (i.e. lone-working with tenants/residents; working with vulnerable adults). For further information, the Code of Practice for Registered Persons and other recipients of Disclosure information is available to view from the Corporate Services section.

PROBATION

New employees will be subject to a 6-month probationary period.

SCHEDULE 1 OF THE HOUSING ACT 1996

South Somerset Homes have adopted the standards set out by the Nolan Committee in its work on standards in public life. As an employee of the Company, you will need to be aware that Part 1 of the Housing Act 1996 affects you, your close relations and any businesses trading for profit with which you are connected. Schedule 1 states that you may not receive any payment, grant or loan from any funds associated with your employer except under your contract of employment, or as reimbursement of legitimate expenses.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

It is the policy of the Company that all employees and job applicants shall be afforded equal opportunity for employment and advancement with the Company, on the basis of their ability, qualifications and suitability for work, irrespective of their race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, disablement, sex, marital status, age, sexual orientation, religion or trade union activity. Selection based on any of the above will be regarded as discrimination.

The Company recognises that the workforce is under-represented in respect of people with disabilities and ethnic minority groups at all levels and in respect of women in senior positions. Applications are welcome for appropriate posts from these groups. The Company will also guarantee an interview to those who consider themselves to have disabilities providing that they can demonstrate the required experience and/or qualifications.

SMOKING

A smoking ban currently applies to all Company offices (including scheme communal areas), meeting and interview rooms, toilets and corridors. With effect from 1 st July 2007, there is no smoking permitted on any SSH premises or in any Company-owned vehicle, in line with UK legislation.

REFERENCES

As a rule, references will be taken up for the successful candidate only, after the interview. However there may be exceptions to this so please note occasionally, references may need to be taken up prior to interview, but only with your consent (given on the application form). In all cases, please ensure your referees are aware you have given their name as a contact and are prepared to provide a reference for you.