Luxury care home provider, Signature Senior Lifestyle, has invested £4.7 million in a 9.6% pay rise for all care home colleagues.

Over 4,000 Signature team members across 38 homes in London and the Southeast now earn a minimum hourly rate of £10.90, up by 10% on their previous £9.90 minimum rate.

Kay Cox, chief operating officer, at Signature Senior Lifestyle, said: “We are delighted to make this announcement. Our commitment is to be the provider of choice within the care sector, which allows our trusted team members and new recruits to develop rewarding and long-term careers.  

“The uplift in hourly rates for our teams is the latest example of this commitment in action, and we do so not only as part of our recognition for all of their hard work, but also recognising the continued cost-of-living challenges the country faces. 

“We are committed to supporting all colleagues across the business, by being a workplace that cares as much for our team members as we do for our residents.” 

Under a phased roll-out beginning in October 2022, care, hospitality and maintenance teams have now received uplifts.

The minimum hourly rate applies to colleagues of all ages as well as new recruits.

This adds to an announcement the luxury care home provider made in January 2022 that all team members on hourly rates contracts would receive 25 days of paid leave a year plus eight days bank holiday, up from the industry standard of 20 days. 

Judith Loader, a carer at Signature at Guildford, said: “I have worked at Signature for nine years, and I am thrilled with the news that my pay has been increased. Working in care is a role that I am proud of, and to know that Signature is providing additional support to me and all of its colleagues in these difficult times means a lot.”