Covid in Scotland: Teachers asked to work in Glasgow care homes as staff hit by Omicron

I worked in a hone with four adult, challenging men living there.
Just those men, and at times 2 staff.
I would never have expected anyone new to have any contact at all with the men.
They knew very well when someone was new, and it changed the whole feel of the place.
It could be rather unsettling.
So, if they didn't mind putting clothes in the wash, making a cuppa, putting ironing away or answering the phone then it was all a huge help, and a much better way for everyone to adapt.

JaneJudge

lots of us have posted re the situation in care and lack of staff/no one applying for positions for months now. It isn't just old people who are affected but lots of disabled people

I don't think teachers should be working in care homes, it is ridiculous but someone needs to be (AND IN THE COMMUNITY)

Teachers will be back to school in the New Year - what then?

This could be partly due to unvaccinated staff not being allowed to work with vulnerable people now.
Added to which working poor pay.

Sorry - working conditions and poor pay for such a responsible job.

Teachers will be back to school in the New Year - what then?
Unless someone knows something we don't!!

I know, I agree they need to be paid more but central government off shot their responsibilities onto local authorities and there is no money, there hasn't been for years now

Josieann

^Teachers will be back to school in the New Year - what then?^
Unless someone knows something we don't!!

Oh no!

But they still have to man (and woman) the hubs and set online work.

and I imagine lots of people on GRansnet will have moaned about the rises in council tax which doesn't even cover the shortfall in the social care bill

My own daughter who has a disability qualifies for health funding but we cannot get it (along with lots of other families) so she is reliant on social care, which she pays a contribution to care on.

I sometimes wish people had the capacity to experience or understand what we go through whilst this uncaring, despicable government have been in power because it has been a disgrace from the beginning.

Calistemon

Josieann

Teachers will be back to school in the New Year - what then?
Unless someone knows something we don't!!

Oh no!

But they still have to man (and woman) the hubs and set online work.

True

It's not just this government. This is s situation that's been developing for decades as the population ages, lives longer and can be helped medically as well as more disabled people needing help.
The situation needs a long hard look and non political planning.

Very true.
The education system has changed immensely, and so has care.

Aveline

There must be many aspects of work in care homes that could be done by anyone without special training. Eg taking round refreshments, tidying, chatting to those without visitors, generally being a pair of hands. This could free up more experienced staff for the more complex and/or intimate jobs.
As an untrained NHS ward volunteer I can find lots of jobs to do that are easily manageable, contribute to patient care and give staff more time for sharp end stuff. It's a two way thing of course. I enjoy it very much and meet some lovely people. There are positive sides to care work.

What you're saying is that anyone could do this work (not just teachers or nursery school staff). From what I've read, the idea is to get these people quickly. Even being a "pair of hands" needs somebody to supervise and give instructions, which takes time away from providing care.

Even taking round refreshments needs somebody to explain where to place the food/drinks, so that it's accessible, instructions on what to do if a person leaves food and drink untouched, not giving sugary foods to diabetics or certain drinks to those who could choke, etc etc.

JaneJudge

lots of us have posted re the situation in care and lack of staff/no one applying for positions for months now. It isn't just old people who are affected but lots of disabled people

I don't think teachers should be working in care homes, it is ridiculous but someone needs to be (AND IN THE COMMUNITY)

Well said.

growstuff

Aveline

There must be many aspects of work in care homes that could be done by anyone without special training. Eg taking round refreshments, tidying, chatting to those without visitors, generally being a pair of hands. This could free up more experienced staff for the more complex and/or intimate jobs.
As an untrained NHS ward volunteer I can find lots of jobs to do that are easily manageable, contribute to patient care and give staff more time for sharp end stuff. It's a two way thing of course. I enjoy it very much and meet some lovely people. There are positive sides to care work.

What you're saying is that anyone could do this work (not just teachers or nursery school staff). From what I've read, the idea is to get these people quickly. Even being a "pair of hands" needs somebody to supervise and give instructions, which takes time away from providing care.

Even taking round refreshments needs somebody to explain where to place the food/drinks, so that it's accessible, instructions on what to do if a person leaves food and drink untouched, not giving sugary foods to diabetics or certain drinks to those who could choke, etc etc.

Yes, but surely the likes of a teacher, or anyone with a bit of intelligence, only needs to have this explained once or maybe twice. I have taken on work experience kids who after a morning's induction are capable of following instructions and relieving other staff from duties. The best way of giving instructions is to do it while on the job. If as a teacher you are left in charge of a classes of school kids I think you are more than able to remember which patient needs what, or use a notebook.

Indeed! So why ask teachers to do it? Anybody could.

True.

Would teachers be paid their usual hourly rate or that of a care worker?

Well, to be fair, they'd only be able to do things like washing clothes and using the dishwasher.

Now appealing for suitable council staff in Edinburgh to help out in care homes. They're to be paired with experienced staff and paid an enhanced rate. I wonder if they'll have many volunteers for this.

I guess they're desperate Aveline so what else can they do other than to appeal and hope some will come forward? I keep thinking what if that were my mum in the care home being left with no care, it is upsetting. I think I would offer a bit of time were I younger, the nature of the work shouldn't put people off.

I suspect that some people might even enjoy it. A bit of a change and could suit those otherwise alone at Christmas. It's only a temporary stop gap until things get a bit more organised.

That teachers are asked to do this shows the respect that teachers are held in. My teacher daughter in law could turn her hand to anything practical and ethical and often does.

Growstuff, work in a cafe home does involve special technical expertise, and regular staff would be there to deal with medications, and instruct on how to use hoists and so forth.

Many patients may be washed and fed by kind and intelligent amateurs.

How on earth do they think teachers are anywhere near qualified to work in a care home? What exactly would they be doing?

It's not just teachers being asked to help out in Edinburgh. It's local authority staff.

Caleo

Growstuff, work in a cafe home does involve special technical expertise, and regular staff would be there to deal with medications, and instruct on how to use hoists and so forth.

Many patients may be washed and fed by kind and intelligent amateurs.

Quite frankly, no vulnerable person should ever be washed and fed by an "amateur" with no training. Even these so-called basic tasks require skill.