Government calls upon public to support care services during the pandemic

The public are being called upon to apply for short-term and long-term opportunities in the adult social care sector to support care home residents and those being cared for at home.

Additional staff are now “urgently needed” to support the adult social care workforce where absence rates have more than doubled in recent months due to self-isolation as the impact of the new COVID-19 variants are being felt across the country.

The campaign launches as social care leaders today issue stark warnings of the sector being “stretched to a point never seen before” as absences rise and pressure on services increases. Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru President Nicola Stubbins warned “We are literally managing day-by-day because we don't know what tomorrow will bring. We're constantly firefighting.”

Read more: www.socialworktoday.co.uk/News/Social-care-staff-in-Wales-%E2%80%98stretched-to-a-point-never-seen-before%E2%80%99-as-pressure-continues

Jobseekers, volunteers and people on furlough are being encouraged to register their interest for short-term opportunities. Exact roles will be based on experience, local need and local authority and care provider discretion.

The ‘Care for Others. Make a Difference’ campaign also launches this week using television, digital and radio advertising to highlight longer-term career opportunities, which the Government hopes will help to “build a sustainable workforce now and for the future”.

Tim Hearson, a Senior Autism Practitioner from Bedfordshire, said he made the switch after initially training as a surveyor. After four and a half years working in adult social care he said he has never looked back.

“I wake up every morning and go to work knowing I’m going to be making a difference to someone’s life, and there’s nothing more rewarding than that.

“Seeing the people I care for progress every day is such a wonderful feeling and I always leave work with a smile on my face. For anyone considering a role in adult social care, go for it.”

Candidates do not necessarily need previous experience as training may be provided.

Joint Chief Social Workers for Adults, Mark Harvey and Fran Leddra, said the pandemic has put a spotlight on the profession and shown how “critical and important” it is.

“We are in awe of the sheer dedication, commitment and professionalism that the workforce continues to show, making a difference to people’s lives every single day.”

For individuals who have registered their interest online the short-term scheme, the Department of Health and Social Care will pass their registration details onto their local authority and local adult social care service providers. Care providers will then contact candidates directly. The Government says further information on access to training, DBS checks and vaccines will be provided when candidates are contacted.

Training, including in infection prevention controls and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), is also said to be provided as well as vaccinations in line with key worker status and the priority vaccine scheme.

Minister for Care Helen Whately said the Government need more people who want to “play their part in this pandemic” to choose social care.

“Since the pandemic began, we’ve seen thousands of wonderful people step forward to volunteer for the NHS and take part in our truly tremendous national vaccination effort. Today, I’m asking people to step forward to help in social care too.”