Grapgic using pages from the handbook

Beyond Limits Employee Handbook

Welcome to the second edition of the Beyond Limits Employee Handbook, your guide to how we do things at Beyond Limits. This handbook should be your first stop when you are looking for information, it will give you an overview of your terms and conditions and let you know about our expectations of you.

Please read it carefully during the course of your induction and refer back to it for anything that you are not sure about. Please also remember to sign the receipt form at the back, to confirm you have read and understood the contents and pass the completed form to your line manager.

For more information on any of the policies and procedures that are referenced in the handbook, please access these via the Staff Area of the website in the Policies and Procedures section.

You can download and save the Handbook as a PDF to view offline or read it below. If you have any comment or feedback about the handbook please contact us.

Download the handbook: BL Employee handbook 2021

Beyond Limits is a partner in the Small Supports programme

Beyond Limits has joined C-Change, NDTi, Positive Support for You and the Local Government Association to help develop and promote the Small Supports programme. The programme is generously supported by NHS England.

Visit the Small Supports page on the NDTi website

We are working with local areas to help them create the best environment for small supports to emerge and flourish and with existing and emerging small supports organisations to develop and share great ways of working. The partners are not seeking to establish or grow their own support activity.

Below is some background information about Small Supports

What are Small Supports?

Small Supports organisations have a lot in common. Small Supports organisations share nine key characteristics.

Background to Small Supports Activity

Small Supports activity is about thinking and working with people with learning disabilities and/or autism who have ‘hefty reputations’ (to borrow a phrase to describe people who are burdened by the reputations they have been given because of behaviours, reactions, support requirements and large funding packages).

Small Supports Networks

There are a couple of networks associated with our Small Supports programme: one for providers and another for commissioners.

Stay Safe Online – protect yourself and the people you support from cyber-attacks

Cyber security might seem scary and complicated but it doesn’t have to be, it is really just about protecting the devices that we all use on a daily basis (smartphones, laptops, tablets and computers) and the services we access both at home and at work from theft or damage. We must make sure that we are protecting ourselves and the people we support from cyber-attacks by following some simple rules.

Here’s a great video that helps you understand Cyber Security.

Limit your personal information

Not everyone needs to know your relationship status or your home address. You wouldn’t hand out personal information to strangers so don’t hand it out to millions online.

Here’s some Internet Privacy Tips from ‘TechSafety.org‘.

Be careful what you download

Criminals will try and trick you into downloading malware (malicious software) apps or programs that carry malware can steal your personal information. Do not download apps that look suspicious or come from a site you don’t trust.

Here’s a good guide to help you work out what’s safe to download produced by wikiHow.

Choose strong passwords

Select passwords that are harder for cybercriminals to demystify. A strong password is one that is unique and complex – at least 15 characters long, mixing letters and unique characters. Use a password manager tool to help you manage your passwords so you don’t forget them.

Read about what password managers offer in Wired magazine.

Here’s a link to a password generator, there are lots of others to choose from on the web.

Make online purchases from secure sites

Cybercriminals are keen to get their hands on your credit card and bank details. Only supply this information to sites that provide secure, encrypted connections. Always check that the address starts with https: (the S stands for secure) and look out for the padlock icon next to the address bar.

Keep your antivirus program up to date

It’s impossible to protect against every threat but internet security software will detect and remove most malware. Make sure it is up to date.

About Coronavirus also called Covid 19

This page contains information to help you to understand Coronavirus or as it is also called, COVID 19. This page tells you what it is and how to stay safe.

Covid 19 also called Coronavirus is a new illness that can affect your lungs and your airways.

Coronavirus can cause Pneumonia. This can be most serious for the very young, the old and can be dangerous for people who are already ill.

The government wants to keep everyone safe from Coronavirus so they have given us some new rules they want us to stick by.

This video explains what the Government want you to to

Here is an easy read booklet about the virus from Public Health England

Staying safe

Stay at home to stop coronavirus spreading

Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

This includes people of all ages – even if you do not have any symptoms or other health conditions.

You can only leave your home:

to shop for basic essentials – only when you really need to
to do one form of exercise a day – such as a run, walk or cycle, alone or with other people you live with
for any medical need – for example, to visit a pharmacy or deliver essential supplies to a vulnerable person
to travel to and from work – but only where this is absolutely necessary.

If you catch coronavirus

What to do if you have coronavirus symptoms

Continue to stay at home if you have either:

a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Stay at home.

Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do.

Use the 111 coronavirus service

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

Cooking together – Cheese Flan recipe by Lara

While we are all staying safe by staying home, let’s do some cooking together.

Every week until the Corona Virus emergency is over, we are going to share an easy recipe for us all to try cooking. We’d love it if you shared a photo of what you cook with everyone on Facebook. Each recipe has What you need and What you do, click on the photo below and print the recipe to use as a shopping list. BIG thanks to Lara and KeyRing for letting us use their tried and tested Easy Recipes. Cooking at home can be fun, tasty and filling!

Celebrating 10 years with Beyond Limits

This page celebrates the remarkable people who have completed 10 years of service with Beyond Limits.

A decade of service is a serious achievement and speaks volumes about commitment and loyalty so it is only right that we mark and celebrate this.

Each person will have their own tale to tell about the journey they have been on with Beyond Limits, but the one thing everyone has in common, is that each person has demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of people we support and making a real difference. Their journey is marked by countless contributions both big and small, visible and unseen. They have been mentors and friends, leaders and listeners, sometimes at the front but more often in the background while letting the people we support shine.

To all of our ten-year achievers, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your unwavering dedication has not only contributed to our collective success but has also inspired a culture of excellence. You have set a standard to which we all aspire…

Congratulations on your achievement!!!

Job Fair form

Thanks for taking the time to fill in our application form at a job fair. Having the right staff is crucial for the success of our business.

We have tried to keep the form as short as possible and hope it will be quick and easy for you to complete.

We have our Restraint Reduction membership!

Beyond Limits are delighted to have had our pledge approved and accepted by the Restraint Reduction network. We understand that supporting people, especially those individuals who at times may present behaviours that cause concern, requires a commitment to place people at the centre of everything we do.

We vow to continue our work in this regard with people and their families and work with their best interests. Restrictive practice will only be used as a last resort, in an emergency to maintain safety and in circumstances where there is immediate or imminent harm and where alternatives cannot be used or have failed.

Under no circumstances…

Under no circumstances will any restrictive practice which is considered degrading or abusive ever be used and restrictive practices will not be used to enforce rules or to punish or coerce. We will continue our work, supporting people to be all they can be, having lives that make sense for them, free from restrictions and institutional living.

To learn more about the Restraint Reduction Network and their work, visit their website: www.restraintreductionnetwork.org

Time for a change?

If you’ve found yourself at a turning point in your career we may be able to help. Without the need for government quizzes and assessments, Beyond Limits could retrain and retain you. We’d love to hear from you if you’re someone who…

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” ― Leo F. Buscaglia

Drop us a line and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.

Beyond Limits launches new Recommend a Friend scheme

Today we launched our new App to help make referring your friends to us easier.

Care Friends is a new scheme which will help you share jobs on social media, WhatsApp and via simple text messages and you will earn points as you do.

Currently you only secure the award once the person you have recommended is employed by us, under this new scheme you will earn points at various stages, including points for just sharing the job.

You will be able to turn points into cash when you’ve reached the set amount. When you cash points in they will be added to your salary. So, if you love your work and love your friends, bring the two together with the CareFriends App and start referring, the more you refer, the more you earn.

COVID-19 vaccination for front-line workers

Beyond Limits staff are starting to be called to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. As front-line staff we are classed as a priority group and indeed some of you may have already received your first vaccination.

We are working closely with our commissioners and preparing everything so that we have a safe and effective process. As soon as we get the go ahead again, we will be coming to you asking about your availability. We will try and co-ordinate where we can, but please be aware that this can happen at very short notice so we need to remain flexible.

COVID-19 vaccination – Protection for social care staff booklet

Please download the booklet produced by National Health England (NHE) which answers the main questions about the vaccine.

Download the booklet as a PDF here.

(file name: PHE_11920_AZ_Covid-19_SCS_leaflet.pdf)

Or read the booklet online below:

We are delighted that there is a vaccination and that we can play our part in keeping everyone safe. Please be patient and rest assured you will be called as soon as possible.

Thank you all for your continued commitment to the people we support.

Previews of some pages from the first edition of our newspaper

Beyond Limits launches a Newspaper for the new decade

As part of our celebration of the great work our staff do, the people we support and their friends and families we have produced a printed newspaper.

There are stories from our support workers, trainers and people connected to Beyond Limits plus information about new staff benefits. Our aim is to produce two or three editions a year so we have started collecting stories for the next edition already! If you would like to share a story or recommend somewhere to visit we’d love to hear from you.

Contents of edition 1

Chantelle at college / MacMillan fundraiser
Recommend a Friend scheme is changing / Health & Social Care Diploma
BILD Training for Hamish and Georgia / Ian’s holiday
Welcome Austin / Southwest Wordsearch / Useful information
James attends the End of Season Cricket dinner / Plymouth’s new cineworld
New places to visit / A simple soup
Kayleigh’s three day advednture
Planning days / Ricky has found a new love, his tandem
Job Fairs around the South West
Talking shop – training staff / Team working with Lou Close
New Employee Assistance Programme / Work for Beyond Limits

On page 5 we have a Wordsearch, if you’d like the answers please click here.

Below is a link to a PDF of the whole newspaper. If you’d like a printed copy please contact the Beyond Limits office.

Beyond Limits Employee Benefits

We recognise that life doesn’t always run smoothly and sometimes we, or members of our family need help, that’s why we have secured a fantastic range of benefits which are available to you and your immediate family members when you need help the most.

Looking after yourself has never been so easy, download the Smart Health app and use the access code LG011206, that’s it, once you have set up your account you will be able to access expert health services 365 days a year, including GP appointments, health checks and support with mental health.

You can also get support at the most difficult of times, during critical illness (plus children’s cover) and if experiencing a bereavement. This benefit is available to you and your immediate family.

As a valued member of Beyond Limits we offer you these benefits to support you in times of need.

If you have any questions or you are struggling to access any of the benefits, speak to your line manager in the first instance.

Read more about…

Smart Health, Round-the-clock support for you and your family

Bereavement Counselling & Probate Helpline

Photo of two ladies busy making Christmas decorations

Christmas decorating workshop at Beyond Limits

People we support, family and friends brought Christmas to Beyond Limits recently. The office was buzzing with festive activity at our first Christmas decorating competition.

The competition involved decorating two floors of the office. Martha won the first floor with her stars and paper chains. Hannah won the second floor with her wreaths and door decorations.

Ian makes an Easter cake

Ian and his team made a delicious looking Easter cake for Easter Friday.

Watch the video below to see how he made it. We’ve got a feeling there won’t be any left when the Government’s Social distancing ends.

Ian looks pretty pleased with the finished cake!

Heather’s pasties are a ‘proper job’

Heather really fancied a pasty but with everything closed Heather and her team decided to make their own Gluten Free Pasties.

The photos below show Heather’s pasty making, start to finish.

Thank you for all your hard work

As a Central Team, we wanted to show our immense gratitude and recognise how hard you have all been working during this very unsettling time.

We wanted to find some small way of showing our appreciation for all that you do every single day, a way of saying “thank you” to each and every one of you.

And so we came up with an idea that has taken us a couple of weeks to put together, please watch our thank you video, from us to you, we had fun making it and we hope it puts a smile on your face.

We need to give a special shout out to Claire Bennett for her artistic creation of the poster we have used and to Val Alekseenko-Simpson for taking the time to create the video.

Thank you all and please stay safe.

Stay safe from flu this winter with a flu jab

This is not a normal year! We all want to protect ourselves and those close to us. This year, the double dangers of flu and COVID-19 mean it’s especially important to protect ourselves from the flu.

The flu virus spreads from person-to-person and as frontline workers, you are at an increased risk of contracting flu. Sometimes you can get flu without symptoms which makes it very easy for you to pass it on without knowing.

There’s lots of myths about flu and the flu vaccination which is why we have put together a page of Frequently Asked Questions.

Even if we are healthy, we can still get flu and spread it to the people we care about and care for. Getting a flu jab is easy, you can access it through your GP, a practice nurse or your local pharmacy. It is free to all frontline workers, just be sure to take your ID badge with you.

The NHS and Lloyds Pharmacy websites have more information about the vaccination: