direct support professional

registered practical nurse

housekeeper

support worker

maintenance person

Brantwood Community Services

High-stress environment, with a divide between management and front line staff.
It is not understood the level of supports required for staff in order to best support individuals with special needs. 
We experience constant short-staffing while still being expected to do all of the regular duties of the job outside of Covid-19. 
Some houses require more staffing supports than others but hours are equitably divided between houses. Unless you require more supports in which your house could be "out of hours to provide that support"
Workplace culture is toxic
When situations arise with some staff that are toxic, or do not properly support people being supported or staff while working, it is largely ignored by supervisors 
People are shifted into positions instead of interviewing processes 
high level of burnout
Situations that arise are dealt with by supervisors and managers as they see fit and rules are bent by management or supervisors if it benefits the need at the time. 
(ie require 11 hrs between shifts for shift exchanges unless supervisors need to fill a shift)
Upper management do not support supervisors who try to make a difference
Staff do not feel heard or supported by upper management or supervisors
Hands down the worst agency I have worked for.

Brantwood is a toxic place to work. Not supported by management and always working short. They make you work alone telling you they are a phone call away but they never come to help and support you. They make you work In a dangerous and unsafe environment , while supporting high risk residents. You can’t be in two places at once and it’s unsafe for you and the persons supported , they give you no support, especially with the needs of the individuals. There is no work life balance and they don’t care about vacation time , wasn’t aloud to take any since we are already short staffed, making you feel guilty for taking time for yourself. Very underpaid for the work we put in and are put at risk . They try and blame the way the company is going on the pandemic before the pandemic but the reality is, it’s the bad morale, huge gap between front line staff, and management, and care more about making money to get out of debt then regard for the people’s lives who are supossed to be enriched and taken care of. They make you work at houses with no training to cover sick calls. Most of the time it was getting the basics done and feeling like the individuals were neglected. 

The culture at Brantwood was toxic. I often felt unsupported in my role and had conflicting deadlines that were difficult to manage because different managers or stakeholders were giving me directives and they often didn't align well. The pressure to achieve unrealistic fundraising goals during a global pandemic and when the Foundation board was not interested in actually helping became too much. There is no work/life balance, and I was made to feel guilty for taking vacation time off or needing a sick day.  With no training provided, and more and more responsibilities being added to my job description, I often felt that it was impossible to do all of my work well, and many aspects of the role felt neglected because there was never enough time in the day to accomplish everything that needed to be done.  I often worked alone and with little to no support. It was a lonely job and not an experience I ever wish to repeat.

Top heavy management that create policies as they see fit, for their own convenience. Union handbooks can never be found, leaving employees without information. But ofcourse they want you to sign off and remember over 300 of their workplace policies. Upper management use intimidation as a tactic to keep employees silent in fear of being targeted for dismissal. They also continue to cancel sheduled meetings with the union.  It used to be a great place to work but with new management's constant exercise of inflexible control (even after covid) employee satisfaction has gone further down the drain. Another review mentioned that it now runs like a business and has lost touch with its own mission & values Statment. This is 100% true.   I 've watched several genuinely great coworkers leave because of this, some having been there 17+ years.  The Front line staff  & the people supported are fabulous to work with. both deserve better treatment 

Over the last two years and with new management this agency had declined significantly. Its clear to all employees new and senior that Brantwood Community Services is NOW a business and not focused on the well-being and success of the people supported. All staff are intimidated by our top-heavy management and fear their work safety for if they stand up and disagree with something. Front line staff work hard for one another and the people supported, they stand strong together but have no room or opportunity to make improvements. There is absolutely no work/life balance. Easily disposable- "Go somewhere else if you dont like it". 

Caring for residents who are disabled and in wheelchairs. Loved the house i was assigned to and my supervisor was very flexible with my schedule. The staff were great. You need to work as a team.
Was fun taking clients to movies,music,walking,swimming,concerts.
Must be able to do personal care ie:bathing,teeth cleaning,cooking,feeding,perineal care,toileting.

They hire part time staff and post internally full time positions. 

Hours are typically 7-3, 1-9, 12-8, 3-11, no nights for full time

9-12, 1-6, 6-10, 5-9 and also ft shifts for part time.
Typically 25 hrs week but they call you everyday to offer shifts. Also able to pick up shifts from other houses.

Having worked for Brantwood Community Services for 10 years, I can confidently say the agency has gone down hill drastically. Working at Brantwood 5 years ago felt like you were part of a huge family where everyone helped each other and had the best interest of the people supported in mind. Now the environment is so toxic and negative and you get zero support from your supervisor or management. Management is so focused on created meaningless management positions and filling their greedy pockets instead of creating a cohesive and positive environment for the individuals living within the homes and the individuals utilizing services. 

Usual work days begin with engaging supported clients to prepare for class activities. Self-learning, care and other important daily necessities. A recreation therapy centre, directed towards rehabilitation of various conditions (Stroke, Ischemic Attack, Hip/Knee replacements, etc). Team of 6-8 staff daily to apply direct care to clients. Classes are ran at 16 week periods; each span throughout the work week and weekend respite on Saturdays. Being updated and consistent with new information on clients, policies, and/or work place events is the hardest component. Spending quality time with support individuals and engaging them in positive learning activities.

I love the people I support and have loved all (but 1) my coworkers. The house is a smaller one so there aren't always a lot of available extra shifts. My supervisor was absolutely great in working around my schedule but not all supervisors are that flexible. The union is not well run and the head of the union (who is retiring) cares far too much about management's needs than workers. They are phasing out full time positions to save money so part time is all that is available. The job is rewarding  but does involve a lot of personal care, which they don't always disclose. Pay  needs to improve with cost of living. 

Shifts tend to be 7-3, 3-11, 2-10, 1-9 If covering for a full time; 8-11, 5-8, 6-9, 6-10 if part time

What is the best part of working at the company?
While I was working for Brantwood I had the best support staff, to this day I still miss them 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Sometimes longer hours when a staff member called in sick in the last 20 mins of your shift 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
I found it to be fun never a dull moment always had safety measures in place 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Busy busy busy, from the moment  you arrived to the moment you left however there was also lots of laughing along the way, it never felt like you were there longer than 8 hours

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Direct support professional 1 salary reported	$25.71 per hour
Registered practical nurse 2 salaries reported	$26.74 per hour
Housekeeper 1 salary reported	$20.65 per hour
Support worker 3 salaries reported	$24.10 per hour
Maintenance person 2 salaries reported	$24.10 per hour

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