Solutions to PA/Carer Employment Market

 

It's a tough market if you'r looking to recruit for PA/Carers. We all know the reasons, yes it's not considered an important job in society (unless you're in need of one). The pay which is crucial to a lot of people is an important factor. A factor that those in charge just will not acknowledge or recognise, you can try and bring value to the job, have career structures, but if the pay keeps you at minimum wage, it doesn't pay bills and that what people need jobs for. Especially with the horrendous cost of living we are facing.

It's going to get worst, not only are there better paid straight forward jobs out there, but the increases in prices, cuts due to increased council taxes ( for social care would you beleive), rise in National insurance and a predicted 50% rise in heating costs, with food and other hikes such as broadband being put up it's going to mean even those who are doing the job at present will have to consider better paid employment. 

The recent change to allow support staff in (again) from the EU is a joke. I mean, really, here were people (with their families) who came to this country did our low paid jobs, and we said thanks, but no thanks. Now we have the cheek to ask them to come back, would you? They're not going to as they have families, the immigration system allowed families, so one partner may work on the fields, lorry driving or in food production, this left the other partner to find alternative jobs in Care, auxiliary staffing in the NHS etc. People are not going to come over on their own. In order for this to really work, you have to reverse Brexit. No one wants to admit we were wrong, and therefore, this probably won't change, not in this generation. 

So, we must look at the situation differently. Look at different avenues; opportunities rethink the situation. Look wider for solutions. 

In our county a few years back, a group of disabled people were involved in entrance interviews for the local university social course degree course. It was truly a piece of real coproduction. We were involved in checking applicants and then testing them through the whole process. The group designed everything, including interviewing questions and having a say afterwards as to their suitability for the role. The group included processes that involved a mini assessment of 10 related questions. We wanted them to find out about us. Very similar to a real assessment. They then wrote it up. And we checked their notes for accuracy. More importantly, before the day started, we spoke to the group, which involved telling them all that in three years' time, they are likely to be knocking on our doors to do some real social care work. I want to know that this person is going to listen to me. The tests, questions, scenarios were all based on how they made us feel. It didn't really matter about the assessment or the report; we only scored that for about 25% of the mark, we gave more marks for those who managed to make us feel comfortable and had real conversations with us. Showed a real interest in people. Interview questions were similarly related to actual scenarios and examples were asked for.

Almost in every case as a group, we found those who were the best students where those who had some background experience working with people in care. Whether through parents, having gone through the service, or did some work in a care or home environment. The reason for going through the above scenario is that it led me to believe these were the people, the real future of social care. That was 7 years ago, since then I have always gone out of my way to recruit social care students. They have a shelf life of about three years, free a lot of time over holiday evenings, and weekends. More importantly, they have an interest. Many an evening, I have sat with these carers discussing safeguarding, equalities, and social care and health processes. Which they have used as practical examples for and against the theory they are taught. Now if every university or college made this an entry requirement for all health and social courses, this would go a long way to easing recruitment problems. It would also give students practical real experaince. 

Another way is to not look at It as a full job, but for small individual jobs, you want to go shopping? Well, if your care needs aren't severe and you need a driver and someone to come with you, then you don't need carer. Perhaps just some help, similarly with other duties. Perhaps an hour here or there for this or that. So why not advertise for such, and use different avenues, not indeed or agencies or Facebook, but a basic handwritten note in local newsagents advertisement boards, chemists, post offices. You are likely to get someone who you know, 2nd or 3rd hand, who you'll be able to get references for easily, and still get CRB checks done. Mothers or fathers of small children, semi retired or retired people can be good for this. They have time in the day, looking for a bit of money and want to do their worthwhile duties for their communities. 

I've even employed one or two older school children on the Duke of Edinburgh award. They spend six months cleaning my gardens, doing some gardening, wash my car etc as part of their award helping out in the community. They don't get paid, but they are taught skills, often sitting and discussing things they just want to know, from someone with a bit more experience. They are not paid, but I'll get them something at Christmas or on thier Birthdays. 

If the authorites allow, (they should be doing this anyway) and as long as there is agreement beetween employers and employees and trust is maintained another way as a back up, is for local budget holders to put together a support group. Pool all their PA/Carers, and in emergencies, if cover is required, ask the group if their carers could do a few hours here and there if desperate. There are a few of us locally who have done this. It works quite well as long as it's not abused and everyone remembers and abides by the primary carers needs always comes first.

To allow some of this to happen, authorities do need to look at reducing paperwork and offering more light touch checks, as mentioned in the statutory guidance, for experienced social care users. Too often, I hear my authority just won't let me do that. In the long term this will come back on them, as it's doing now. The Social Care and Health white paper, which clearly says authorities have just not been following the law or guidance and making it strict for people to consider running and looking their own budgets. Even though it is the cheaper, better option.

These solutions won't solve all the problems, but it may help reduce some of the issues. In the long term the only real solution I see is if carers are offered a proper living wage, around the £15 an hour mark. With this there also needs to be a grading/banding system based on experience and qualifications and a proper career structure where more qualified staff take over more of the paperwork and planning for their employers, allowing them to live more fruitful lives without having to worry about employment or budgets.