Recruitment Pack 2023

Diverse Responsible Impactful Inclusive

Exciting Friendly Supportive Committed Satisfying Considerate

Candidate Pack Becoming part of CGA

Rewarding Caring Approachable

Thank you for your interest in becoming part of the CGA team.

Why work with Community Gateway?

At Community Gateway, we recognise that our colleagues are a key strength in delivering exceptional services to our customers and communities. We have a diverse group of over 250 talented individuals who are integral to the success of our organisation, each with unique qualities but working together to deliver our vision and demonstrating our corporate values.

We have high expectations of our colleagues but provide support and opportunities to help you be the very best you can be. We have a range of roles both here at Community Gateway and our subsidiary, Preston Vocational Centre.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all colleagues to share this commitment.

An important bit!

Inclusion is key for us. We would love to hear from people from diverse backgrounds, and second languages come in handy. For more information about our approach to diversity in recruitment visit: www.communitygateway.co.uk/inclusiverecruitment

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I initially started at the organisation as an apprentice and then after that point, I had a brief stint as an IT Trainer as well. An opportunity came up for me to apply to be the IT User Support Manager, I was successful in the that application and we are where we are today.

Rowan Gill - Former apprentice and current IT User Support Manager.

ll we bring a Each year ther at our toge the team ce.

Conferen Colleague

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About this information pack This pack is designed to help you get a feel for what it’s like to work with us, find out what we’re looking for, explain the recruitment process and help you decide whether you can see yourself as a part of our amazing team. Each section is crammed with hints and tips to help you make a great application, so please take the time to give it a good read.

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CGA in a nutshell

Our uniqueness centres on the fact that we were the first housing association to be based on the Community Gateway Model.

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As the largest social housing landlord in the city, we provide so much more than a roof for our tenants.

CGA was created following the transfer of housing stock from Preston City Council in November 2005. In 2023, we celebrated our 18th birthday.

Our service include:

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Investing in improving the quality of homes Developing thriving neighbourhoods with attractive green spaces Providing tenancy advice and support Tackling anti-social behaviour and dealing with neighbourhood issues Working with community groups to develop them into real neighbourhood “hubs” Delivering a benefit support service to maximise the income of our tenants Delivering a support package for the most vulnerable, which includes providing food, white goods, mental health support etc Hosting community events and activities to bring people together, create a sense of community and tackle social isolation Working with local communities to build individuals’ skills, knowledge and confidence

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3 Our head office is situated on Preston Dockland, with great links to all major road networks.

4 We are proud to be a living wage employer!

All CGA colleagues earn a wage that meets the cost of living.

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At Gateway, we are praised for the work that we do within the company and as an individual as well.

Amelia Parker - Workplace Facilities Support Officer

5 We are proud of our role as the largest landlord and an important Anchor Institution in Preston.

6 Tenants influence the way we deliver our services, where we invest our money and shape our priorities.

Our values and culture Each and every one of our colleagues live and breath our values. They are an important part of our ethos as an organisation, and drive the behaviours that we expect from colleagues.

CGA people come from all different walks of life, and it’s this mix of brilliant personalities, experiences and insights that give us that friendly culture you can feel as soon as you meet us. But however wonderfully different we all are, there are five things we’ve all got in common - and they are the CGA values.

Created by our own employees to reflect some of the personal traits CGA people have, our values are the hey to waht makes our culture unique, they’re a reflection of who each of us are and they’re embedded in everything we do.

Asif Ibrahim - Receptionist and Certified Smile Maker

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I wake up in the morning and I actually look forward to coming into work because of the amazing atmosphere and the really friendly work colleagues I have.

WE PUT TENANTS AT THE HEART OF ALL WE DO We know, value and respect our tenants, and work with them to make a difference.

WE DO THE RIGHT THING We act with honesty and integrity, we ask questions and think differently, and do the things that matter.

WE ARE ONE TEAM We value and support each other, build positive realtionships, and work together to achieve more.

WE OWN IT We take responsibility for our own actions and we deliver on our promises.

WE AIM HIGH We are creative and resourceful, constantly seeking improvements to achieve the highest possible standards.

Employee benefits BIRTHDAY LEAVE Birthdays are special, so we give colleagues the day off!

HOLIDAYS Minimum of 25 days increasing to 30 days (plus Bank Holidays) + option to buy additional annual leave.

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS Colleagues have instant access to discounts with high street retailers, supermarkets and much more!

RECOGNITION SCHEME We recognise our colleagues’ efforts by providing a range of e-cards so colleagues can be personally thanked for their hard work and contribution.

We also have a cashback app.

CHRISTMAS CLOSURE We close our offices at Christmas, whilst still maintaining a service for all customers.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME Free confidential counselling and support service to assist in areas including financial matters, relationship and legal issues.

FABULOUS OFFICE FACILITIES Pool table, colleague hub, shower rooms, hair dryers, straighteners, free tea, coffee, fruit and breakfast items.

HEALTH CASH PLAN Colleagues can claim money back on a variety of health and wellbeing treatments including dental, optical, physiotherapy, counselling and prescriptions.

LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES Including professional qualification sponsorship and job shadowing.

PENSION SCHEME Defined contribution with up to 8% company contribution and 3x death in service benefit.

EMPLOYEE SAVINGS SCHEME Colleagues can put money aside each month for 10 months to save for something special.

SPECIAL EVENTS Health and wellbeing days, and celebration events for our successes.

SUPPORT Mental health and wellbeing support on offer including Mental Health First Aiders.

ENHANCED SPECIAL LEAVE PAYMENTS Maternity, paternity, adoption and fertility treatment, and company sick pay.

HEALTH CARE Free flu vaccinations and colleague health checks.

DISCOUNTED GYM MEMBERSHIP

CREDIT UNION - SAVINGS AND LOANS We offer our colleagues’ savings and loans schemes, and signpost to debt advisors.

CYCLE TO WORK SCHEME

FREE PARKING

Top tips for a great application Follow these four top tips to make your application stand out!

Before you start, check out the person specification The person specification highlights the key things we’re looking for, as well as how we intend to measure when you have them. The essential criteria are those things which you must have in order to do the job, so it’s important that you are able to say ‘yes, I’ve got those’ before you invest time and effort in completing your form. Desirable criteria are qualities we believe would be an advantage for you to have.

But don’t panic if you don’t have them - often, these are areas we would look to develop within the role, so they may simply be ways we can train you up. Of course, if we get lots of applications for the role, we may use the desirable criteria to narrow things down a little.

Be yourself As we mentioned earlier, our values are a really important part of how we recruit. We’re looking to find out whether your personality will be a good fit at CGA, so be honest and be yourself - let your personality shine through in your application form and tell us how our values fit in your life.

Tell us all about it We often find that applicants will state that they have what it takes to do the job, but don’t tell us why in enough detail.

Our fortune-telling skills aren’t the greatest, so please make sure you tell us why or how you meet the person specification.

A good way to make sure you’re telling us what we need to know is to have a look at the person specification and note down an example that proves you have the skills, knowledge or experience in each thing on the list. Every time you tell us you have what it takes on your application form, give us one of your examples.

Don’t send us your CV Unless our advert requests it, we won’t accept CVs, so please don’t send us yours. We’re looking for some specific information that we want to ask you about on your application form, so we won’t consider your CV as an application for the role on offer.

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I feel like y made to f valued an company cares abo employees

Chris Turner - Multi-Skill

Your application form Well, you’ve read a little about us - now it’s over to you!

If you like what you’ve read so far and think you can see yourself working at CGA, it’s time to fill in your application form. Your application form is an important part of the selection process; it’s used to determine whether or not you’ll be chosen to have an interview and acts as a basis for the questions we’ll ask you on the day. It’s really important that you try to capture all of the relevant information we have asked for on the form, so we can get a good feel for who you are and why you’re great.

How to fill your form out

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led Technician

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Make sure the job title and reference is clearly stated at the beginning of your form, so we know which job you’re going for.

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You must sign your form to confirm that the information you have given is correct. If you don’t have an electronic signature, please type your name instead.

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Please list any formal qualifications on your form. We’ll need to see the certificates for your qualifications at interview stage.

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Make sure you include paid work, unpaid work and any work experience in your employment history. Start with your current employment, or if you are currently unemployed, your most recent employment. If there are any gaps in your employment, please tell us why.

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At least one of your referees should be your current employer. If you are not currently employed, simply provide your most recent employer. If you don’t have any employment history, think about one professional and one personal referee who would best describe your suitability for the role.

Terms and conditions Annual Leave (Holidays) You’ll start on 25 days per year plus bank holidays, increasing incrementally to 30 days after 4 years’ service. This includes 3 days of Christmas office closure. You’ll receive an additional day off for your birthday. Once you have completed your probation there is the option to buy additional leave via salary sacrifice. Annual leave entitlement is prorata for part time colleagues or colleagues who join part way through the leave year. The leave year runs 1st April - 31st March.

Pension Scheme The Social Housing Pension Scheme (Defined Contribution) is available to all new colleagues. CGA contribution rates are higher than employee contribution rates, ranging from 5% to 8%. Membership also includes a 3 x salary death in service benefit in addition to the standard 1 x salary benefit. The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is available to new colleagues who are already members of the scheme directly prior to joining CGA. Pay Dates Salaries are paid on the 15th of each month for the entire calendar month.

This is approximately 2 weeks in advance and 2 weeks in arrears. Where the 15th falls on a weekend or bank holiday, you will be paid on the last working day before the 15th.

Company Sick Pay Once you have successfully completed your probation period, you will be eligible for company sick pay, up to a maximum of 3 months full pay and 3 months half pay.

Notice Period During your probation period, your notice period is one week. After your probation is successfully completed, notice periods are as follows: Head of Service - 12 weeks Manager - 8 weeks Colleague - 4 weeks Business Mileage Business mileage is reimbursed at 45p per mile.

Car Parking Free car parking is available at all our sites.

Health Cash Plan When you join us, you will be enrolled in a Health Cash Plan paid for

by CGA, which enables you to claim back health expenses such as prescriptions.

Death in Service We hope you’ll never need it but all all colleagues are covered by a 1 x salary death in service benefit in addition to any benefit via the pension scheme.

Got any questions?

Who should I contact if I have any special requirements?

If you’re unable to complete our online application form and need some support, and/or you need our documents in an alternative format, for example, large print, please call our People Services team on 0800 953 0216 How long will it take for you to decide if I’ve got an interview?

This can vary depending on the number of applications we receive for each vacancy. Generally speaking, we do try our best to make or decision and contact applicants invited for interview within two weeks of the closing date.

Why are you asking for my equality information?

We have a Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy which aims to eliminate discrimination in employment. Candidates are selected on merit only, therefore all applicants will be afforded equal opportunities in employment irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion or belief.

We’re committed to monitoring equality information, but we need your help to do this. Candidates who consider themselves to be disabled will also be given the opportunity to attend an interview if they meet the essential criteria for the role.

How will the information I provide be used?

The information in your application will be used for the sole purposes of recruitment and diversity monitoring. We will process your information fairly and lawfully for these purposes. We will not share your information with other agencies or individuals, except to prevent fraud, or if required to do so by law.

If you are unsuccessful, we will retain your information for six months, after which it will be destroyed in accordance with GDPR requirements.

For further information about this, please call our Business Assurance Team on 0800 953 0213.

Got any questions?

0800 953 0213