Government launches new social care recruitment campaign

The government has launched a new campaign to encourage people to consider short-term and long-term opportunities in the adult social care sector.

The ‘Care for Others. Make a Difference.’ campaign was launched via TV, digital platforms and radio advertising long-term career opportunities, and varied and flexible roles available across the care sector including care home and domiciliary care.

The impact of the new COVID-19 variant is being felt across the country and additional staff are urgently needed now to support the adult social care workforce where absence rates have more than doubled in recent months due to self-isolation.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “I want to thank carers for all they do to look after our loved ones. Throughout this pandemic, they have gone above and beyond to protect our parents and grandparents, and to provide them with the support and care they need and we would be truly lost without them.

“This exceptional career choice is tough but rewarding, and I would urge anyone who is thinking of a career in care to come forward and join this heroic workforce.”

Almost one and a half million people work in adult social care and there are many opportunities for those looking to make a difference.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We are doing everything we can to support the adult social care sector throughout this pandemic and our social care workforce have done an incredible job of helping the most vulnerable in society.

“I am urging the public – whether you are a job-seeker or looking for a new career - to consider working in care. We need short term support while we face the pandemic and to continue to recruit the right people, with the right values, now and into the future.

“Great progress has been made on offering vaccines to all older care home residents and care home staff and this recruitment drive will help us continue to fight this terrible virus.”

Training, including infection prevention controls and use of PPE, will be provided as well as vaccinations in line with key worker status and the priority vaccine scheme. Minister for Care Helen Whately said: “Since the pandemic began, we’ve seen thousands of wonderful people step forwards to volunteer for the NHS and take part in our truly tremendous national vaccination effort. Today, I’m asking people to step forwards to help in social care too.

“We need more people who want to play their part in this pandemic to choose social care. There are thousands of opportunities, from short term roles to long term careers.

“Jobs in the care sector are hard work, but they can also be incredibly rewarding. When you get home from work you know you’ve made a real difference for the people you care for. I know we can’t say thank you to care workers too many times for what they do.”

Jobseekers, volunteers, and people on furlough can now register their interest for short-term opportunities including personal care, helping people to wash and dress, providing wellbeing support, simply collecting and delivering supplies, or helping out with the cooking and cleaning.

For the short-term scheme, for individuals who have registered their interest online, DHSC will pass their registration details onto their local authority and local adult social care service providers. Care providers will then contact candidates directly. Further information on access to training, DBS checks and vaccines will be provided when candidates are contacted. The government has already provided £120million to help local authorities support care providers to fill staffing gaps caused by the pandemic, which was announced in January.

People can find out more about a longer-term career in social care and search for jobs in their area by visiting www.everydayisdifferent.com

homecare.co.uk, the leading reviews site for homecare, also has a jobs section for people looking for a job in care. To view the jobs available click here