Care home group builds affordable homes for staff

Care operator Parklands Care Homes is planning to build affordable homes for its staff to rent, in response to recruitment issues and a cost of living crisis.

Parklands is building a £10 million-pound 58-bed care home in Inverness (due to open next year) and has submitted plans for 24 affordable homes for its staff to live nearby.

The proposed £4.5 million development involves 12 two-bedroom apartments and 12 two-bed cottage flats. The care group hopes its investment will encourage people to take jobs at its new 'care hub'.

'First-time we have invested in employee accommodation'

The care operator, which runs nine care homes across the north of Scotland will give priority to its staff, but if there is any spare capacity, accommodation will be offered to other health and social care workers in the local community.

Ron Taylor, managing director of Parklands Care Homes, said: “Recruiting quality care staff is particularly difficult at the moment because of the pressures of Covid-19 and the shortage of qualified staff across the UK.

“The cost-of-living crisis and the lack of affordable homes for rent are further barriers to recruitment.

“This is the first time we have invested in employee accommodation. However, given the scale of our commitment to Inverness, the undoubted difficulties many key workers face in securing affordable accommodation and the challenges of recruiting care staff, we believe the situation demands a new and innovative approach.”

As well as a care home, the group’s ‘care hub’ in Inverness will have a ‘later living’ village made up of 11 two-bedroom bungalows for sale, with residents getting access to the care home's services and social activities.

Lack of 'affordable rents' for care workers

A planning statement made by Parklands describes a 'lack of quality rental accommodation offered and available at affordable rents for those seeking employment within the care sector.

"Good quality accommodation at affordable rents for both staff and indeed the wider care and key worker sector is often overlooked through current provision."

The care group’s decision to build affordable homes is the latest recruitment initiative it has launched. Last year, the care operator announced it would offer a £2,000 welcome bonus to new full-time nurses and a £250 cash incentive for other new employees, including care workers.

The company has also created 18 new Trainee Care Assistant roles (two at each care home) through the government’s Kickstart scheme.

Parklands Care Homes’ managing director added: “We want to recruit the best care professionals available.

“We know from past experience that many of our care staff in the Highlands have found it difficult to source quality, affordable housing. This development will provide much needed affordable rental accommodation for the city.”

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