 Vulnerable people in Devon are at risk of not receiving the care they need when they need it, and family members and friends are finding themselves becoming unpaid carers for others, because there aren't enough paid care staff available.
Our health and care system in Devon is at full stretch, and the sustained pressure on the care workforce means that staff are struggling to cope.
There are too few care workers in Devon right now, so we're calling for over 1,000 more people to join the care workforce, and for families and communities to do all they can to help ease the pressure.
Thousands of care job vacancies are being advertised in Devon today, and with care staff off work – self-isolating because of coronavirus, or because they’re otherwise unwell – care companies are struggling.
Councillor James McInnes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for adult health and social care, said:
"Care providers can only provide care to vulnerable people if the workforce is there, and with coronavirus impacting on care staff, just as it is everywhere, we quite simply do not have enough care workers in Devon at the moment.
"We are bringing in care workers from outside Devon, but that’s not a long-term or fair solution, given that their own communities may also be in need of care workers. The situation is becoming unsustainable."
What do we need?
We desperately need people to fill care roles across Devon:
- 300 people in Exeter
- 300 people across North Devon and Torridge
- 300 people across Teignbridge and South Hams
- 150 people in East Devon
- 150 people in Mid Devon
- 100 people in West Devon.
That many new recruits into social care would make a very real difference to the people who need immediate support. We can help with training for those without it. We can match you up with where your skills are needed and the kind of work you want to do.
How can you help?
If you have worked in care before but left, can you return? Even if that is just for the next few months to help us over this period of greatest pressure.
If you’re a personal assistant and have capacity to help, can you come forward?
If you’ve not worked in care, but want to help, a warm welcome awaits you, regardless of your age and experience.
We need people who are compassionate, can communicate well and are ready to commit themselves to the rewarding range of roles on offer. If you have those skills we can train and support you and offer you the role that will suit you best.
If you have time to spare as a volunteer, please get in touch.
Today is our call to action. Today is your opportunity to make somebody else’s life better.
Please register your interest via the Proud to Care website, leaving your name, contact details and a postcode, and our recruitment team will get back to you.
Or you can search for the latest care job vacancies, apprenticeships and training opportunities in the care sector in Devon.
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