Government urged to ditch 'no jab no job' policy in wake of care worker recruitment campaign

The government has launched an adult social care recruitment campaign in a bid to fill the hole in the workforce caused by the pandemic, Brexit and mandatory vaccinations for care workers.

The government said more than 105,000 vacancies need to be filled currently and almost half-a-million extra job opportunities in adult social care are expected by 2035.

carehome.co.uk, the UK’s leading care home jobs site, has seen the number of job vacancies more than double this year from 4,832 in January to 9,027 currently, with the combination of the pandemic, Brexit and mandatory vaccination all impacting on the workforce.

While care leaders from the sector welcome the government's recruitment campaign, they warn the planned 'no jab, no job' policy should be "postponed" or the sector will see "vulnerable people" facing the "dilemma" of not being able to "receive their assessed care needs".

The Independent Care Group (ICG) chair Mike Padgham said: “I’m sorry to say this recruitment drive will probably have as much impact as the little Dutch boy plugging the crack in the dam with his finger whilst someone else drills a big hole ten yards away!

“The government’s planned ‘no jab, no job’ policy is set to rob social care of up to 40,000 staff and should be halted or at least postponed.

“Brexit rules mean we can no longer recruit as easily from overseas and the sector should be allowed to bring in care workers from abroad under a visa scheme, as other sectors can.

“But the biggest issue of all is the historic underfunding of social care which means that social care workers do not get the rewards they deserve and people look at other, better paid and less stressful jobs – a situation that has been exacerbated because there are many other such jobs currently available."

Earlier this month, carehome.co.uk revealed that nearly three-quarters of care home staff believe staffing pressures in their care homes will deteriorate further as a direct result of the government’s requirement for staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Launching the Made with Care campaign, Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid said: “Care workers have done a phenomenal job throughout the pandemic, in difficult circumstances, and I thank them for all they have done.

“A career in social care is rewarding and inspiring. Over the next three years we are investing at least £500 million to support the training and development for carers.

“We need more people who possess the core values this workforce embody so strongly - kindness, compassion and resilience - to look after our friends and family with dignity and respect.”

The launch of the recruitment campaign follows the announcement of £5.4bn of additional funding to reform social care over the next three years, including £500m to support training and career development for the workforce.

The campaign will run from November 2021 to March 2022 with a TV advert being premiered today on ITV, Sky and Channel 4 and shows real care workers making a difference in people’s lives, inspiring others to consider a career in care.

'We will be doing everything in our power to drive the campaign'

Professor Martin Green, chief executive for Care England said: "Care England welcomes Made with Care, the DHSC’s new recruitment campaign. This does however need to be seen in tandem with a long term strategy as to how we can recruit, retain and develop our workforce.

“Our workforce is our best resource and we need immediate, medium term and long term help to sustain and cherish it.”

Gracewell and Sunrise care home group have over 350 vacancies across their homes, including in management positions. They are using the campaign to hire predominantly care assistants and nurses. However, they are also on the lookout for non-care roles such as laundry assistants, chefs, housekeepers and receptionists.

Helen, Shocker, recruitment business partner at Sunrise Senior Living UK & Gracewell Healthcare, said: “We welcome the government’s efforts to address the shortage of workers in the health and social care sector and we will be doing everything in our power to drive the campaign and bolster our own internal recruitment.”

Earlier this month, a report produced by Skills for Care showed how social care vacancy rates fell from eight per cent pre-Covid in March 2020 to just over six per cent in March 2021, it has gradually risen again reaching over nearly eight and a half per cent in August.

Oonagh Smyth, chief executive from Skills for Care said: “This campaign launches at a time when recruitment and retention is a key focus for adult social care. The recruitment challenges are evident and we have heard from many employers that recruitment and retention has been increasingly difficult in recent months.

“This campaign can play a vital role in raising awareness of the impact of social care on our communities and the rewarding opportunities that a career in social care offers.”