Benefits
Annual Leave
Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 27 days building to 29 days after 5 years NHS service and 33 days after 10 years NHS service.
Working Hours
We work to a standard working week of 37.5 hours and do not expect our staff to work long hours. We also actively monitor compliance against the European Working Time Directive.
Flexible working
Flexi-time is available for all posts up to AfC band 7. There is also some flexibility through either Time off In Lieu or paid overtime, with the prior approval of SCA management.
In addition, we actively encourage flexible working by offering term-time working or annualised hours contracts to assist members of staff with childcare commitments. A number of staff are also on part-time contracts (either three or four days per week).
Pension Scheme
All staff are given the opportunity to join the NHS Pension Scheme. This is a final salary scheme, with benefits up 1/80th of final salary per year of service and a final lump sum. Employees make a contribution of 6%, with an employers contribution of 14%. The scheme is considered more generous than many in the private sector.
Local Working
We have offices in Battle (Head Office), Folkestone, Maidstone, Pembury, Beckenham, Merstham (near Redhill), Eastbourne, Brighton, Winchester, Southampton, Salisbury and Bath to ensure that staff are based as near to our clients as possible, so local working is the norm.
Expenses
All staff are entitled to reclaim expenses relating to business travel. A standard mileage rate is available for those staff who do not undertake significant travel, whilst Regular User allowances (monthly taxable lump sum plus lower mileage rate for actual distances travelled) are available for those doing more. Travel on public transport, for example rail fares to our small portfolio of clients in central London, is also reimbursed. Given the geographical spread of our clients, most travel is by car and therefore access to a vehicle is important.
Subsistence allowances are available, where applicable in compliance with NHS regulations.
Additional Allowances
Staff based at our Merstham office are entitled to receive a Fringe Allowance of 5% of basic salary. Staff based at Beckenham are entitled to Outer London Allowance of 15% of basic salary. These allowances reflect proximity to London and do have maximum and minimum values.
Where appropriate, arrangements are in place for maternity, paternity and sickness payments. Emergency leave is also available in certain circumstances.
Incremental increases
All posts have been assimilated onto the national Agenda for Change pay scale. For each band on the scale there are a number of incremental points, so staff receive an incremental salary increase each year as well as nationally agreed cost of living increases.
Training & Development
All staff that are not already professionally qualified will be able to apply for their studies to be supported. We pay 75% of fees, up to a maximum annual figure, and provide paid leave for exams and revision, to an agreed level.
Our training arrangements have led to the award of Gold Approved Employer Accreditation from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in recognition of the support that we provide to our professional trainees.
Every member of staff has an annual appraisal against a range of criteria. This has been enhanced for 2006/07, with staff involvement, to use the national NHS Knowledge & Skills Framework for our competency based assessment.
The above appraisal, in conjunction with corporate wide training and development, leads to an individual Personal Development Plan (PDP), covering the whole range of professional training and development needs. Progress against this is reviewed on a 4 monthly basis, but staff are encouraged to ask for any training that they feel is appropriate. All professionally qualified staff outline their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as part of this process to ensure that their PDP will deliver sufficient coverage to maintain their professional standing.
South Coast Audit has also been recently accredited as an Approved Employer – Professional Development with ACCA, which means that all members do not have to maintain a separate log for potential review by ACCA, instead our Training & Development processes (accredited as an Investor In People) are deemed to be sufficient evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
Equality & Diversity
South Coast Audit is an equal opportunities employer and complies with the Equality and Diversity policies of its host organisation, South Downs Health NHS Trust.
