The State of Care
An Overview of Health & Social Care and What We Can Do About It
Published: 25/10/2021
We’re worried and now it’s official. Change is needed.
Over the last 6 months we have seen a huge increase in the number of people seeking care from us – yet we have been unable, in most cases, to provide that support. Staff recruitment was always a challenge, yet 2021 has been significantly harder. Our existing team has shown amazing dedication to our Clients to keep them safe & well, often working many more hours than normal. The situation, though, is especially tough for our sector & we need to adapt.
The CQC report
The CQC has released its annual State of Care report. It finds that, for adult social care, there are serious and deteriorating conditions and significant change is needed. This has been clear to us for some time. The current stresses require serious changes from central & local government, but also from independent providers such as Right at Home Bishop’s Stortford & Braintree.
What does the report say?
It confirms that:
- Staff are exhausted and the workforce is depleted
- That the situation is serious and deteriorating
- That much more needs to be done to provide career pathways, training & support & increased pay and conditions
Many of the issues we face in social care are not new. They existed for years in the run up to the pandemic. Covid-19 has exacerbated the existing stresses.
How can we effect change?
The good news is that we have a head start. We take career pathways seriously and will support staff with their development, even if it means moving onto another career.
Our pay has always been above average for the industry – but we have started to make changes to conditions which will make us an even more attractive place to launch a career. This will mean more predictable, solid working hours. Check out our current vacancies.
Many of our team start working towards Level 2 or Level 3 health and social care qualifications from day – free of charge. This will continue and we will continue to encourage everyone to do this.
We are also looking much wider for potential recruits & building new recruitment partnerships.
Small, marginal gains in themselves. However, taken together we’ll play our part in building a better future for staff, enabling us to expand the amazing levels of support we provide to local vulnerable people.
