100,000 vacancies in our care system

LemonJam

If he doesn't put all the necessary ducks in a row a new National Social Care Service won't get off the ground or succeed.

AB was heavily involved in reform suggestions when last in office some years ago- familiar with the Dillon report - so knows what building blocks are needed.

It's complex and enormously difficult to achieve - which is why no other PM or government has ever achieved what AB proposes to achieve or even got as far as declaring a clear intention.

I give him credit at least for his ambition, declaration and bravery. If he achieves what he hopes to achieve it will be a huge positive legacy in league with the great Aneurin Bevan.

I think even with all the government ducks in a row there will still be a recruitment challenge, because the demographic changes have changed, there are so many people living to very old age now. My own view is that the real challenges going forward are in the community, rather than in the care home sector, as the latter is more easily remedied. The reality is that most people want to stay in their own homes for as long as they possibly can, and looking after them there is emotionally and physically challenging for carers, to say the least.

Sorry, too many changes repeated there, I’m trying to do two things at once.

My own view is that the real challenges going forward are in the community,

I am not sure I am totally understanding what you are trying to say?

I mean that carers who go into peoples homes to look after them are the hardest group to recruit, and because they are often lone workers, they carry a burden of responsibility that is greater than that of carers working in residential care settings.

I have worked in Care (Care home high dementia residential) For over 25 years, I have been in my current position for eight years and in my previous post seven years until it was closed down. (before that, I supported people with learning difficulties in their own homes)
I would say 85% of our staff for Indian and I cannot fault them. They are hard-working and very friendly. The accents can be a bit of a problem at times but they make up for that in other ways, I feel so sorry for them now because they are waiting to hear whether they’re right to stay here is
going to be extended to 10 years rather than than the five that they were promised when they took the job.
They are thousands of miles away from their families and I just don’t think it’s fair how they’re being treated, they have all paid thousands of pounds as well to be here and in this job
I still work part-time, just 18 hours a week but I really enjoy the job and yes the money should be more but I think when you enjoy your job it’s not so bad and I do really enjoy it
I’m 73 now and will work as long as I’m able

Many of our carers are Asian people from China or Vietnam. The uber drivers seem to be all middle Eastern. Funny how different nationalities gravitate towards different tasks. I don’t know of a particular shortage here but I think the pay is probably higher than in the UK.

Margs

The CQC - Care Quality Commission - needs to be shaken up if not replaced with a more robust organisation that doesn't - rather like Ofsted - hand out one word ratings, and also has extended powers to deal with failing care homes more rigorously.

Totally agree Margs the CQC has been ineffective for many years. Standards of care that were considered unacceptable in County Council residential homes were passed as satisfactory in the private sector,
Times have changed now but standards of care which are well below what is expected are not dealt with robustly and promptly.
I repeat what I have said before, the most vulnerable in our society are being cared for by the most poorly trained and paid staff.

I agree absolutely with those who say such work is underpaid and underappreciated.
My SIL had amazing carers at home, and has wonderful staff, now, in her care home: kind, gentle, and respectful
A significant percentage are young people from overseas.
The one she dislikes is a middle aged local woman who tries to encourage her to do more for herself!
And yes, the profit margin in care homes is high. I know of one family who live a very pleasant lifestyle indeed from owning a care home. They have recently acquired another.