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Swan Family: Child Centred Approach
Our aim at Swan Family Centres is to ensure that Children are always at the heart of the service and that their voices are heard. Positive outcomes for the children who visit our centres is our ultimate aim and we strive to ensure that their experience during visits with us and their prospects when they stop visiting us are positive. There are many ways that we do this, some of which we have showcased in the graphic below:
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Myths about HGV driving training that needs to be put to rest
There are a lot of false impressions about HGV driver training. So we thought we’d address some of the main myths and finally put them to rest. Take a look at these 4 most popular myths and we will set the story straight for you... Myth #1: It’s difficult to get on a training course You don’t actually need any specific qualifications to train to be a HGV driver other than to be over 18, hold a UK driving licence and be eager to learn from the right trainers. There are many different training providers who will accommodate you; you just need to find the one that’s right for you. Myth #2: The medical test is scary The law states that all HGV drivers are required to be in a suitable state of health in order to control their vehicles on public roads. That is why every new driver must go through a medical exam and has to be re-examined every time their licence needs to be renewed. Honestly though, this is not as daunting as it may sound. There is no training or preparation that needs to take place prior. It is just a simple check-up that will give you and the DVLA the necessary reassurance that you are fit to drive without being a hazard to other road users. Myth #3: It’s a sexist field to be in While female HGV drivers are undeniably the minority in the industry, there are more and more women taking up a career behind the wheel. Of course, the small number of women drivers means that sometimes people find themselves double taking every now and again but, in society in general, people are now far more accepting of women being behind the wheel of a HGV. Myth #4: There are next to no jobs at the end of the training This myth couldn’t be any further from the truth! Haulage companies are bending over backwards and digging deep into their pockets to attract new drivers… As the economy continues to grow, there are more than enough driving jobs to go around and that are available for people working locally and nationally too. Some European nationals who are living and working in the UK are choosing to return to their original country after 2016’s Brexit vote. This means that there are even more vacancies for qualified drivers. Another reason that there are lots of HGV jobs is the rise in online shopping calls for more delivery drivers and their lorries! Are you looking to become a HGV driver but don’t know where to start? Click here to see what roles we can offer you! Have we forgotten anything? If you can think of any more myths that need to be left behind then post it in the comments below…
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Swanstaff Recruitment Children in Need Bake Sale
Swanstaff Recruitment held our annual bake sale in aid of Children in Need and is proud to announce that we raised £136.15. On the 16th November 2018, we invited some of our clients into Head Office to attend our Christmas themed bake sale. This included Rocky Roads, Brownies, Mince Pies, Cookies and Cakes all made by our Swan’s, who also joined in and indulged in the delicious treats. Head Office staff also participated in the BBC Children in Need Duck Race live on the BBC. Each member of staff got to choose a rubber duck that would represent them in the race, at a cost of £2 each. All together we raised an additional £40. Children in need is a such a worthy cause that each year Swanstaff continue to enjoy raising money for.
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How to turn a Christmas temp job into a career
So Christmas is just around the corner and we are so ready to play Mariah Carey until our ears burst! But there are some things we should discuss before we pack up for the festive season. We thought we would help you out by putting together some top tips on how to turn your Christmas temp job into your full time career! Check it out… Attitude When entering a new role, you always should have a positive attitude and give it your 100% effort even if it’s only a part time role. Having the attitude that “it’s only a temp role” will give you the mind-set that you don’t have to put maximum effort, when in actual fact, you will not have any room to progress and turn the role into a career. Also you need to remember that even if you don’t end up in this role, the employer will still be called as a reference by your next role, so make a lasting impression! Quick one to one meetings By asking your manager for one to one meetings (or even just some small feedback) you are showing that you are bothered about the job. This can also be beneficial to the employer, not just the employee. This is due to the fact that it gives the employer a chance to tell you what you can improve on and what you can do to make the operations of the company run smoother and better. Show initiative Don’t just focus on progressing in your initial role, showcase all of your skills by asking to experience different departments. Also this will show that you are willing to put yourself outside of your comfort zone and help your co-workers in different departments when they need you. Apply for internal positions This is obviously a biggie. Applying for internal positions can show your employer that you want to work for their company and not just that you needed a temp job for Christmas. If there are no vacancies then have a chat with your employer and express your interest in the company and the fact that it is the place you want to work for long term. Socialise Socialising with your co-workers is a massive help when wanting to turn your temp job into a career. This is because you can build up relationships with them and they can put in a good word for you if you tell them you want to work for them full time. You can do this by going to their Christmas party, arranging dinner after work or even just going to sit with your co-worker or a group of them at lunch – join in on their conversations, see if you have anything in common. This can help you to figure out if you want to work there full time! Availability Making yourself available for all shifts that need covering or staying overtime in the office to get all the work completed and not just leaving at your finishing time. This will allow your employer to see you are a reliable worker and this can contribute to being able to progress in the role and take a step closer to turning it into a career. Hopefully these top tips have helped you think about how you can turn your Christmas temp job into a career! Or, are you currently looking for a Christmas temp job? Click here to see what we have to offer you!
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Donate a Coat This Christmas
Swanstaff Recruitment are looking for people to join us in donating unwanted coats to those in need this Christmas! Following the success of our previous Christmas campaigns, Swan Socks, Christmas Crates and Bundles of Joy we are excited to continue this tradition and see the impact we can make this Christmas. While most of us think a coat is a go-to item that is always on hand to keep us warm, some people don’t have this basic necessity available to them. If you have an old coat or warm jacket that is no use to you anymore then we encourage you to please donate it and help us help the less fortunate. All through November and up until December 14th, we are holding multiple drop off points where you can come and contribute all your old coats/jackets. We will be taking them to various homeless shelters or to individual people in need across the country. Ellie Lewis, Head of Marketing at Swanstaff said: “At Swanstaff we love to go the extra mile especially at this time of year to encourage charity internally, but also get the local community involved. We have already received an amazing response from our staff and local residents wishing to contribute. We are hoping this will continue and be our biggest campaign to date!" If you, your school, workplace or club would like to get involved then please get in touch with our marketing team by calling 01322 478902 or simply stop by any of our drop off points and someone will be able to assist you.
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How the Dingo Dollar challenges can prepare you for your new job
It’s almost that time of year again where we get to spend 3 glorious weeks watching a group of celebrities band together eating, drinking, swimming and laying in absolutely anything to try and attempt to win delicious treats for themselves and their campmates. Have you ever thought about how the Dingo Dollar challenges can prepare you for your life at your new job? We have – check it out… Team work makes the dream work! Team work is one of the main aspects of Dingo Dollar challenges. It is also essential for any job role. Showing that you are willing to help out your co-workers when they need you can make you stand out to an employer as a team player! Which is an employable skill that is essential… plus we all need help from time to time. Communication is key Ensuring that you communicate with your co-workers is essential. Without communication there is the potential for mistakes to be made. These mistakes could cost the business time and money. If your employer sees that mistakes are being made due to lack of communication then they won’t think you’re the right fit to stay with the company. Interpersonal skills We have learnt from previous seasons of I’m a Celebrity that some people just don’t click together. However, at work (and in Dingo Dollar challenges) you have to try and get along with all your co-workers to get the job done. Being able to get along with everyone you work with can make everybody’s experience in the workplace as easy going as possible. Remember to have fun Regardless of what task the camp is given, they always have fun whilst doing it or manage to see the funny side. If you don’t enjoy doing a job then it’s more than likely that you won’t put all of your effort into it, which really is wasting everybody’s time. Having fun whilst doing a job can show your employer that you genuinely want to work for them instead of just being motivated by money which will make you stand out during your probation period (if you are on one). Share your success with the rest of the group When the campmates win the Dingo Dollar challenges, they take back the treats to share with the rest of the camp. When all the hard work is over, don’t forget to share your success with the rest of the team. Don’t keep all the delicious treats to yourself, share them out with your co-workers! Can you think of any other way that Dingo Dollar challenges can prepare you for your new job? Drop them in the comments below!
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Swanstaff Wellbeing Week 2018
As we get deeper into the Winter weather it can be very easy to fall into S.A.D. This also occurs in the workplace – you can begin to feel demotivated and low which can result in you becoming unproductive. So what better way than to start the week than with a Hula hoop and Pedometer challenge. All members of staff were put into allocated teams to see who could walk the most steps and who could hula hoop the longest. This encouraged everyone to be more active and also generated teamwork. Day two was focused around healthy eating. Our marketing team put together and sent out a healthy recipe cook book. Our national temps team took it upon themselves to cook everyone at Head Office a lovely lunch from one of the recipes from the cook book. We wanted to implement this so that hopefully each member of staff could be inspired to cook a healthy meal or two. Day three we called ‘Laughter Day’. This is pretty self-explanatory but the idea behind this was to get everyone to tell each other jokes or to be their funniest self so that all the branches and Head Office would just be filled with laughter all day. At the end of the day everyone voted for Comedy Genius and the winner was announced at our Quarterly meeting the next day. Day four was our Quarterly meeting. We had various talks from our CEO Stephen Rogers and the Marketing team. Individuals and teams won various awards and we also held a raffle and a bingo game to raise money for MIND (which is the National Association for Mental Health). We ended up raising £219.90 altogether. A staff member of MIND also came to our meeting to talk to us about the importance of mental health which was a brilliant insight for our staff. Finally, day five was our relaxation day. At Head Office we transformed our library into a meditation and relaxation room. We filled it with huge comfortable cushions, dimmed the lights and played relaxing music. We encouraged all members of staff to do the same at the branches. Our Head Office team was encouraged to spend 10-15 minutes in there when they could feel themselves becoming stressed. If you would like to find out more about MIND and why we chose this amazing charity, please click here. If you would like to work for a company that cares about their employees mental health and wellbeing click here.
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Swanstaff Celebrate 2nd MegaGrowth Success
Swanstaff Recruitment is excited to announce that they have placed 39th in the Kent Messenger MegaGrowth 50 publication this year. The achievement was marked on Wednesday 7th November at an event in Maidstone attended by all those who placed on the list. Stephen Rogers, CEO of Swanstaff Recruitment said: “At Swanstaff we are very proud to have been invited to attend this event for the second year running which celebrates growth within businesses across Kent. To be acknowledged for the continued growth of our organisation is always an honour. Achievements like this would not be possible without our staff who always go the extra mile. As a business, we hope to maintain and exceed our own expectations of growth in the coming years. ” The MegaGrowth 50 show cases Kent’s fastest-growing privately-owned businesses ranked by growth in turnover and also exports and staff numbers.
