A campaign is under way to try and encourage more people to consider working in the Home Care Sector.
Home Care or Domiciliary Care Assistants are vital to helping people maintain their independence and continue living in their own homes for as long as possible but a shortage of staff is leading to increased pressure on hospital wards and care homes as people are unable to return home.
The new campaign highlights the benefits of a job in home care, which includes promoting the flexibility to choose the sort of hours that are right for the applicant. All as well as flexible hours other benefits include; paid holiday on top of the hourly rate, paid mileage and travel time.
To help attract more home carers applicants can get support from Skills Launchpad Plymouth, including help to prepare for interview in a care setting, the opportunity to gain entry level Care skills to build confidence, and advice to overcome barriers to starting work including access to financial support for work clothing, initial travel to work costs as well as guidance on benefits calculations.
Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Deputy Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member responsible for Health and Adult Social Care said: “Supporting people to live independently in their homes is one of our key priorities so we are on a collective mission with our amazing providers to recruit people from across the city to support the home care sector.
“Working in adult social care is an incredibly rewarding job and will really suit people who are kind, caring and compassionate who have good communication skills. There’s a wide range of roles available in Plymouth where you can make a real difference to some of our most vulnerable residents.”
Trudy Phillips has been working as a Home Care Assistant for 14 years, she said: “I have loved the flexibility of the caring role and have continued to provide care and support to my clients alongside working in the office. I joined the care industry with little experience and received full training and support to help me provide the best care possible. I find promoting independence and caring for clients in a dignified manner very rewarding, it gives me great satisfaction knowing that I am supporting clients to achieve their goals and remaining within their own home.”
Strategic Commissioning Manager Caroline Paterson works closely with the city’s domiciliary care providers, she said: “Our providers are really keen to highlight that working with people to enable them to maintain their independence and continue to live in their own homes is one of the most rewarding jobs there is. A job where you really feel you have made a difference to someone’s day.
“All Home Care Assistants receive excellent training and will be supported if they choose to study for any of the professional qualifications available. Work is available all day, every day, seven days a week and therefore assistants can work flexibly at times that fit in with their lifestyle to provide that perfect work/life balance.”