Staff Team

We believe our staff are genuinely the best individuals you could hope to provide care and support for you or your loved one.  We are a cohesive team, dedicated to what we do, lead by professional managers with high personal standards.  As the home is equally as pleasant a place to work as live, we have a low staff turnover which means consistency in care and close supportive relationships between those who work and live here.  

General Recruitment - Opportunities at Copper Beeches 

We have re-organised our management structure at Copper Beeches with a number of staff moving into management and leadership roles. This has created some openings here at Copper Beeches for both permanent and bank care staff.

We are particularly interested in hearing from applicants who live locally and who understand and are happy to cover some antisocial shifts such as night, alternative weekends and earlier starts and later finishes. If you have the skills and character we are looking for, not only will you earn a good hourly wage, you will be paid for the full length of your shift - including breaks. The team also enjoys the benefit of sharing a (non contractual) bonus scheme for achieving excellence.

Our shift patterns are fortnightly and include every other weekend. Permanent contracts are for an average of 40 hours per week but we can also offer Bank Contracts to people who can be flexible.

Other roles which could be available are Bank Contract positions in our Hospitality Department including Laundry Assistants, Kitchen Assistants and general housekeeping and care support roles. We are interested in hearing from applicants who take a pride in their job, are kind and patient as well as reliable and supportive to their team members.

All applicants and job offers are subject to an enhanced criminal records bureau disclosure. 

Please download and return to us our General Application form by email (preferred) to Anne at : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Staff Development  

Tui and Steve Shirley, Registered Providers at Copper Beeches, actively encourage and support staff to gain the skills and qualifications that will meet the needs of the home and which will also develop their future careers - see attached examples of training we provide for our staff: see training provided. Please refer to our Skills Pledge below or click here. Staff promotion is based on competence and dedication with many of our staff progressing into senior positions.

The staff at Copper Beeches attended a team building 'away day' in May 2011 which enabled them to learn more about each other and remind them how important each and every one is within the team.  All staff received the gift of  a card containing sentiments expressed by each team member at the end of the day.

For the past 18 months, Tui has been attending a national programme called My Home Life  (in partnership with AGE UK, City University and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation).  The programme is aimed at promoting the positive choices and outcomes achieved by care homes.   Eleven of Plymouth’s most committed homes have been working with the programme and recently presented some of their best practice tips to managers of other homes, Plymouth Social Services and the (NHS) Plymouth Primary Care Trust.   Copper Beeches is also part of a group working closely with Derriford Hospital to improve hospital transitions for older people. 

Current training being undertaken by our staff includes the new diploma in Health and Social Care which replaces the NVQ.  These diplomas can be achieved at levels 2 to 5 and staff are able to choose units relevant to their roles to make up their diplomas or to work towards units that can later go toward the next level as they progress in their career development.

We currently have two of our staff who are attending  the St Lukes Six Steps to Success programme.  This is aimed at providing high-quality end of life care and will thus enhance our care team by gaining up to date skills from such a reputable training provider. The “Six Steps to Success” programme was adapted by the charity’s education team from initiatives in other parts of the country. 

Our Skills Pledge.