New members of the team, both vets and nurses, begin their time at Staveley Vets by shadowing senior team members. This allows them to gain a clear understanding of how our practice operates and what to expect in day-to-day work.

After the shadowing period, vets are given longer consulting times to help them become confident with the variety of cases they will encounter, from straightforward cat bite abscesses to more complex ongoing issues such as ear infections or pseudomonas cases. Regular reviews are held every few weeks to ensure that the right support is in place and that new team members feel confident and supported in their roles.

For students, we assign a designated RVN coach who provides one-to-one mentorship, guiding them through their practical experience and ensuring they have dedicated time for learning and study.

At Staveley Vets, breaks for vets are incorporated into consulting time to allow for note-taking and a brief respite from continuous appointments. Each day includes a 30-minute lunch break, along with an additional 45 minutes allocated for administrative tasks. We understand the importance of giving staff a moment to catch their breath.

In addition, two to three short breaks are scheduled throughout the day, providing time to type up notes, catch up, or simply take a pause. Tea and coffee are always available, with the kettle constantly on, ensuring our team stays refreshed and energized.

At Staveley Vets, we recognize the importance of work-life balance and offer flexible working options to support all our staff. While our standard working week is four days, we also provide opportunities for three-day or five-day schedules, part-time roles, and remote working where possible. Additionally, our head nursing team is currently trialling a four-day working week to explore new ways of supporting wellbeing and flexibility.

At Staveley Vets, we provide structured support to ensure a smooth transition from undergraduate to new graduate, minimising stress and fostering confidence:

-Shadowing Period: New graduates spend their initial days shadowing senior vets and nurses to understand our workflows, procedures, and practice culture.
-Extended Consultation Times: Early in their role, graduates are given longer consulting sessions to manage cases at a comfortable pace, from routine check-ups to more complex conditions.
-Regular Reviews & Feedback: Graduates receive regular check-ins every few weeks to discuss progress, address challenges, and ensure appropriate support is in place.
-Mentorship & Guidance: Each new graduate is paired with an experienced mentor, providing one-to-one guidance, clinical support, and professional development advice.
-Wellbeing Considerations: We actively monitor workloads and encourage open communication to reduce stress, promote confidence, and ensure a positive working experience.
-Hands-On Learning Opportunities: Graduates are encouraged to participate in diverse cases and practical procedures, with supervision tailored to their level of experience to build competence safely.

These initiatives create a supportive environment where new graduates can grow their skills, gain confidence, and feel valued as part of the team.

At Staveley Vets, we are committed to ensuring fair, equal, and transparent pay for all staff. Our approach includes:

-Structured Pay Scales: All roles have clearly defined pay ranges based on experience, qualifications, and responsibilities, ensuring consistency and fairness across the team.
-Regular Pay Reviews: Staff pay is reviewed on a regular basis to reflect performance, professional development, and market standards. Reviews are conducted transparently and communicated clearly to each team member.
-Open Communication: We maintain an open-door policy for discussions about pay and progression, allowing staff to understand how pay decisions are made and what steps they can take to progress.
-Commitment to Equality: We actively monitor pay practices to prevent discrimination and ensure that all staff, regardless of gender, age, or background, receive fair and equitable compensation.

These policies create a transparent and fair workplace where staff feel valued and confident that their contributions are recognized appropriately.

At Staveley Vets, we understand the importance of supporting team members who are raising a young family. Our family-friendly approach includes:

-Flexible Working Hours: We offer adaptable schedules to help parents balance work with childcare and family commitments, including part-time and flexible shift options.
-Parental Leave Support: Staff are supported through maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave, with clear guidance on entitlements and a smooth transition back to work.
-Understanding Workplace Culture: We foster a supportive and understanding environment, recognizing the demands of family life and accommodating occasional adjustments to schedules when needed.
-Return-to-Work Planning: For staff returning from parental leave, we provide tailored support and phased reintegration to ensure a smooth transition back into their role.

These initiatives create a workplace where team members feel supported both professionally and personally, allowing them to thrive at work while managing family responsibilities.

At Staveley Vets, we are proud to be a heavily nurse-led team! Our nurses are invaluable, often taking the lead in scheduling your day, preparing pre-meds, running and completing blood work before procedures, placing IV lines in cooperative patients, and producing high-quality diagnostic radiographs for interpretation.

Their role goes far beyond supporting surgery or consultation days—they are also key in mentoring new team members, providing guidance, and teaching while ensuring that every day runs smoothly.

At Staveley Vets, we aim to minimise the need for overtime while ensuring that any additional hours worked are fairly recognised and compensated:

-Efficient Scheduling: Daily workflows are carefully planned by our nursing and reception teams to ensure appointments and procedures run smoothly, reducing the likelihood of unexpected overtime.
-Flexible Workload Management: We monitor workloads and adjust schedules where possible, taking into account the demands of complex cases or emergencies to prevent staff from becoming overextended.
-Overtime Compensation: When overtime is unavoidable, staff are fairly compensated either through pay or time off in lieu, ensuring their extra effort is recognised.
-Team Support: During particularly busy periods, the team works collaboratively to share responsibilities, helping to minimise individual overtime and maintain a manageable work-life balance.

These measures ensure that staff feel supported, valued, and fairly treated, even when additional work is required.