In social care, conversations about workforce pressures are rarely off the agenda. Headlines warn of staffing shortages, burnout and turnover. Yet behind the noise, there are organisations proving that a different outcome is not only possible it’s happening now.
At Severn Vale Home Care, a small mantra underpins big impact: “Treat others how you would like to be treated.”
Simple words, but they guide every decision we make. It means building a culture where people feel valued, respected and supported. It means creating an ecosystem where ambition is nurtured, integrity is expected, and everyday excellence is celebrated. And crucially, it means recruitment becomes about quality of character, not just ticking boxes.
Rethinking Recruitment and Leadership
In many organisations, recruitment is an operational necessity. At Severn Vale, it’s a strategic priority. I personally participate in every interview. Sitting across from a candidate allows me to look beyond a CV and ask questions that reveal who they are when no one is watching. Not “what experience do you have?” but questions like; What drives you? Do you find it easy to honour your commitments?
When I talk about ambition, I’m not talking about climbing a corporate ladder. Ambition in social care is turning up every day determined to be the best for the person in front of you. And integrity? It’s turning up when you said you would, treating time, people and promises with respect.
We have deliberately removed unnecessary hierarchy. There are no ivory towers, no closed-door offices. Instead, you’ll find collaboration, shared achievement, and yes, everyone knows exactly where the tea bags are kept. That matters. When people feel ownership, they take ownership.
Welcoming New Perspectives and Being Transparent
Not everyone who joins us has worked in social care before; and that’s by design. Fresh perspectives keep us innovative.
Every new colleague receives thorough, hands-on training, a named mentor and an honest look at what the work really involves. Occasionally, people decide it’s not for them. That’s not failure, it’s clarity. Care is complex, emotional and physical, some people don’t realise that until they experience it. We owe it to our clients and to candidates to be transparent.
Valuing People Through Fair Pay and Diversity
While social care continues to battle low pay and short tenure, we made an early decision: everyone should be paid well. Why? Because we cannot expect excellence if we do not value the people delivering it. Fair pay isn’t a luxury it’s a strategic foundation.
Our workforce includes teachers, artists, students. Retirees in their 70s seeking meaningful work, nursing and paramedic trainees and people looking for a flexible second career option.
Their lived experiences translate into empathy, creativity and adaptability; three competencies that cannot be taught in a classroom. This diversity isn’t incidental. It’s intentional. And it gives us an edge.
A More Optimistic Future for Social Care
Is our recruitment approach rigorous? Absolutely. But the results speak for themselves. We achieve higher retention and genuine engagement which results in better outcomes for our clients.
Social care deserves optimism. It deserves leadership that challenges the narrative. And it needs organisations willing to show that. At Severn Vale Home Care we’re proud to be part of that shift; redefining what’s possible, one colleague, one client, and one conversation at a time.
Find out more about Severn Vale Home Care and Stuart on LinkedIn.