Devon care provider welcomes Minister’s campaign

A DEVON care provider has welcomed a government campaign launched this month (December 2018) to encourage more people to work in adult social care.

Guardian Homecare in Exeter says the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) pilot initiative represents a step in the right direction in recruiting more people into the industry.

Katie Jewell, Regional Manager for the care provider, explained: “The pilot is designed to look at the best ways of running a national campaign in early 2019 and has been spearheaded by the Minister for Care, Caroline Dinenage.

“There is a huge demand for capable, honest and reliable carers countrywide and we’re recruiting daily here in Devon. We want to address people’s concerns that being a carer is a poorly motivated and paid role with few prospects of career and personal development and we’re hoping this campaign will help with this.”

According to Newcastle University and the London School of Economics and Political Science, the number of people aged 65 plus needing 24-hour care is expected to rise by more than 33%. That’s one million and above during the next 20 years.

The charity Skills for Care is involved with workforce development in adult social care in England and works with 35,000 adult social care employers. It said to care for all these people, the workforce would need to increase by 40%, 650,000 jobs, by 2035.

Minister for Care, Caroline Dinenage said: “A career in adult social care is incredibly rewarding and care work is a hugely worthwhile vocation with over 100 different roles on offer. With a growing need for more care workers we want to support providers to recruit the best possible talent.

“Our new recruitment pilots will explore the most effective ways of doing this, to ensure we have a workforce fit for the future and able to meet the needs of some of society’s most vulnerable.”

Guardian Homecare delivers personalised home care supporting people wishing to stay living safely and comfortably in their own homes in Devon.

It currently employs 140 carers and is looking for 100 new honest and kind-hearted individuals to help add to its teams in the county.

“We’re keen to dispel the myth that a career in care is poorly paid and staff lack training, support and benefits. We offer new recruits a five-day training induction and a 12-week onboard programme working towards a care certificate.

“We’re committed to up-skilling our workforce and we’re working hard to dispel the myth that carers are not valued in the sector. Being a carer is a highly skilled, professional vocational occupation that is essential to the fabric of our society. We’re searching for people who are looking for a long-term career as care is a rapidly expanding sector and there is work in the area for many years to come.

“We offer career advancement opportunities that mean we have a highly trained, motivated and appreciated team. We provide the opportunity for our staff to obtain professional qualifications up to Level 5 in health and social care. We have jobs available in the area now with immediate start, no experience necessary just a willingness to care and to learn.

“It is a great opportunity for people to achieve a recognised qualification and they’ll also be able to have access to exclusive discounts online and in-store from retailers including Tesco, Primark and Argos.

“We also offer flexible working hours, both full and part-time, as well as competitive wages, generous holiday allocation and a refer a friend scheme.

“Our support is not solely elderly care, we offer home care for adults of various abilities and our team puts people first by helping individuals live independently and providing peace of mind for families. Our service is also completely personalised and ranges from daily visits to respite and overnight care.”

Anyone wishing to find out more about Guardian Homecare in Broadclyst, Exeter and career in care, should call 01392 537090 or visit www.guardianhomecare.org.uk.