People First is a dynamic organisation, proud of the organic growth it has achieved throughout its history. We are always looking for new opportunities to grow and create new jobs for talented individuals interested in working for us.

Recently, we were proud to achieve Investors in People Gold. Not only that, but we achieved every single one of their 196 standards. Of the thousands of organisations with Investors In People in the Northwest, only three have managed to do this!

Kulbinder Kang, Chief Executive of People First said, "Achieving IIP gold status with 100% of all standards being met is a rare achievement and a great testament to our staff, of their commitment to ensuring that People First is an exemplar organisation to work for. I am proud of their achievement."

The Investors In People award looks at how well our staff understand the business, how well they are managed, how well they are engaged in decision-making and planning, how fairly they feel they are treated and how well we handle their talent. Four awards are available: standard, bronze, silver and gold

We are extremely proud of this award: It recognises the hard work and dedication of every single member of our staff. Wouldn’t you like to join them?

At People First we are keen to create a professional, yet relaxed and friendly working environment.  Staff are highly valued and we recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance.

To help us achieve this we offer an extensive benefits package.  Here are some of the more tangible benefits of working for us:

• flexible working (core hours 10.30 - 12.00 & 2.00 - 3.30) and flexi leave *
• SHIPS pension scheme for permanent staff **
• childcare voucher scheme  
• annual personal development allowance (PDA) for permanent staff**
• generous annual leave entitlement (up to 28 days plus statutory bank holidays)***
• duvet days (up to 4 per year included in annual leave entitlement)
• free flu jab and hepatitis immunization (if relevant to your job)
• free eye tests for DSE users
• occupational sickness benefit scheme
• comprehensive induction
• extensive annual training programme
• a great working environment
• annual Christmas party
• Staff away days

* subject to a satisfactory 3 months review and office cover
** subject to satisfactory completion of probationary period
***dependent on service and award of discretionary days at Christmas

We also have an active social calendar with staff frequently getting involved in social and charitable events where all are welcome.  Here are some of the events in the 'social calendar' at People First:

• BUPA Greater Manchester run
• Ten Pin Bowling
• Ice Skating
• Wear it Pink Day
• Movember

"People First has an immense draw and frequently welcomes back people who have worked for us in the past.  I was here at the beginning of the first decade and have inevitably come back for the start of a new one.

"I was delighted to return and I’m not the only one – there are so many that we have a boomerang joke about it in the office.  Some have returned from as far away as South and West Africa, others like myself from different career projects."

 – Dianne Sodhi, Director of Community Support

If you are an experienced support worker or equally, if you are interested in starting a career in community support, you should keep an eye out for the opportunities that arise within People First.

Since 2002, when the community support service was set up, the staff in this department has grown from nothing to around forty.  We will continue to look for new opportunities and make every effort to create new jobs and ensure the continuous development of our existing staff.

We asked one of our team leaders, Johanna to share her experience of career development at People First.

Why did you want to become a Community Support Worker?
"I was looking for a new job opportunity.  I saw the advert in the Manchester Evening News and I liked the idea of helping people to live independently.  The advert also stated that it was open to helping you develop professionally and this appealed as I was hoping to complete a doctorate. "

How did you progress from a CSW to a Team Leader?
"I had been a Community Support Worker for a few years and I was looking for a new challenge.  The team leader post became available for the Irish and Dementia Support projects and I thought it would help me develop new skills and give me some experience of management."

What do you like most about your job?
"My staff team.  They made the transition easy and were very supportive and they are also very good at their jobs which enabled me to concentrate on other aspects of the new role."

What are the challenging aspects of the job?
"Changing role and managing my team mates and finding my new place within the team, which I feel I have done successfully."

What is it like being a team leader in comparison to your experience of being a support worker?
"It’s very different: It’s much more office based, there is more paperwork and you have to be extremely organised.  There is less client contact as well but now I have my staff team to look after!"

What experience do I need?
"You need to have had the experience of being a support worker so you have a greater understanding of what your staff are doing.  I think you need to be fair, consistent and have a good sense of humour."

Why People First?
"People First are very supportive as they allowed me to complete my Doctorate.  The managers have a wide range of knowledge and experience which has helped me in my new role. The people who work here are fantastic!  And I like the relaxed atmosphere. "

[Thank You to Shamaila, one of our Future Jobs Fund staff, for interviewing Johanna for this article.]

People First is committed to equality of opportunity and - since many of the people we work with are from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities - we particularly welcome applicants who have a BME heritage.

There are a number of positions within People First where our staff work with or around vulnerable people and children.  For these posts, we obtain Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosures for successful applicants.  Criminal records will be taken into account for recruitment purposes only if the conviction is relevant to the post.

The personal data you provide will be used for the purposes of recruitment and selection procedures, to enable People First to perform its obligations under the contract of employment for successful applicants and for monitoring and recording the distribution of employees across People First.  Any data provided will not be disclosed to any party without your consent except in accordance with the exemptions prescribed by the Data Protection Act 1998.

To enhance your chances of success you should read our guidance on completing the application form.