Inspired to care
Council launches recruitment drive for carers Older people’s services
Choose caring as a career – that’s the plea from the Council and its partners as they launch an action plan to inspire more people to work in that field.
The need for skilled carers is greater than ever, to prevent people staying longer than necessary in hospital and reduce waiting lists for community-based services.
The Council has now joined forces with Capital City Partnership, the private and voluntary sectors, and NHS Lothian. The agencies are also working with Jobcentre Plus to develop a care worker recruitment action plan which is being led by a dedicated member of staff.
The plan – part of the Council’s ten-year ‘Live Well in Later Life’ framework for older people’s services – attempts to highlight the attraction of working in the care sector and has so far included:
- open days at Leith and Wester Hailes
- recruitment fairs in March
- pre-employment Home Care Academy training programmes.
The Council’s Head of Service Monica Boyle said: “Working in the care profession is highly skilled and satisfying work, but not necessarily everyone’s first career choice.
“Attracting committed and enthusiastic people into this profession is essential to providing a first-class service for the city’s older population and vulnerable people.”
Grace Kane is a team leader with Call-In Homecare, which provides services mainly for elderly people in their own homes.
She chose a career in caring after 18 years working in a bank and admits she wishes she had done it years ago.
“You are making a real difference to that person’s life and in some cases you may be the only face they see.”
Need to know
Read more: 'Caring is a great job!'