Council launches recruitment drive to boost number of adult social care workers
Cheshire West and Chester Council is supporting two major campaigns including the North West branch of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services’s #stepintosocialcare campaign, along with the Government’s national Made to Care campaign.
Cheshire West and Chester Council has launched a recruitment drive to boost the number of people working in adult social care.
The council needs to recruit more people to do this important role, particularly with winter fast approaching and demand expected to rise, against a backdrop of a nationwide shortage of adult social care staff.
Cheshire West and Chester Council is supporting two major recruitment campaigns as part of its recruitment drive, including the North West branch of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services’s #stepintosocialcare campaign, along with the Government’s national Made to Care campaign.
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s cabinet member for adult social care, Cllr Val Armstrong said:
Working in adult social care isn’t just your ordinary job. For so many, it can be the most rewarding and enjoyable career they’ve ever had as it’s all about helping others to have fulfilled, happy and independent lives. “Adult social care is so varied, you can be spending time with older people, younger people, people with dementia, people with learning disabilities and physical disabilities, people with autism or people with a range of complex care needs. “Everyone will be able to find a role they’re passionate about in social care as there’s so much flexibility with both the jobs and organisations offering them. “We have jobs available in every community and neighbourhood across west Cheshire, with hours that are flexible and comprehensive training available to provide you with the necessary skills for your role. “Opportunities to work in the care sector range from care home staff and reablement workers who go out to care for people in their own homes to advanced mental health practitioners, social workers and occupational therapists. There are also social work apprentices available with a funded degree course on offer. “The benefits of entering a social care career in west Cheshire include flexibility in hours, the ability to work locally, and full training being given to make sure you can hit the ground running. There are a range of social care vacancies currently available with west Cheshire, and anyone interested can apply via Care Jobs North West | Step into Social Care (carejobsnw.co.uk).
Cllr Armstrong added that despite the nationwide shortage of adult social care staff, the council was doing all it could to ensure that residents who needed support were given it.
She said:
There’s no question that nationally our care sector is struggling, and that the situation looks set to worsen over the winter period. Stories of shortages of staff and care being handed back to local authorities are now a daily occurrence across the country and here in west Cheshire we share some of those struggles. We are working incredibly hard against a tough national backdrop to ensure that all our residents who require support receive it. Whilst we do have a waiting list for care in west Cheshire, staff are working around the clock to make sure that each person’s requirements are assessed and that temporary, if not permanent, care plans are in place. Working closely with our health partners, our community and voluntary sector, and our carers, we will continue to look at how we can work differently to make sure people’s needs are met. We all have a part to play in ensuring that our providers market remains strong, we can relieve pressure in the hospital system and that people who want to remain at home can do so. “We’re improving our processes wherever possible to make sure that people get the level of support that they need from the right staff without delay and we’re supporting our local providers to continue to recruit to roles that they have available. Everyone who needs support can be assured that we’re doing everything we can to ensure that we are ready for the coming months.