£200,000 of Gov support would solve recruitment crisis, says carers

Tuesday 07 February 2023

Less than £200,000 a year of taxpayer support would maintain a flow of skilled carers to the island and ensure the most vulnerable in society are looked after, an industry group has said.

The Jersey Care Federation, which represents private providers, said it had “grave concerns” about the sector's relationship with government, including the funding of PPE, and a lack of financial help with recruiting carers from overseas.

It said that while the Government’s latest version of the Jersey Care Model was being developed, the care sector remained “in crisis” which would lead to the collapse of local firms without short-term support.

The JCF is calling for a government grant of £1,500 per overseas skilled carer that is recruited by registered care providers over the next two years to cover permits, visas, biometric passports and travel.

It argues that recruiting 50 carers for £75,000 would be a lot cheaper than the £620,000 the Government allocated to take on and train 100 care workers in 2021. That campaign led to 33 new staff being recruited and 55 staff being upskilled, according to Health Minister Karen Wilson.

Pictured: The JCF is calling for a government grant of £1,500 per overseas skilled carer that is recruited by registered care providers over the next two years.

As well as the carer grant, the JCF is also calling for £150,000 a year to allow it to “implement cost-saving initiatives” for care providers, including developing a common IT platform to share polices, training plans and other resources; and introducing an ‘equipment library’ for clients in need of specialist kit.

In a recent letter sent to ministers, JCF Chairperson Cheryl Kenealy wrote: “In total, we are asking for less than £200,000 per year to shore up an industry that you yourselves keep saying is a priority; an industry that supported this island’s most vulnerable citizens on the frontline through a pandemic. 

“We are asking for this small amount of assistance so that we can maintain a flow of skilled carers to the island, keep our prices sustainable and stable for the community, and provide care and support for the islands most vulnerable people. 

“Care is mentioned as important in every political speech, as the lynchpin in future healthcare strategies, and yet, right now in the present moment, the support we need does not exist.”

The JCF is also calling on the Government to extend its provision of free covid-related PPE, such as face masks, for carers until a new plan is agreed with the industry.

Health has said that it has not set a date for ending free protective equipment.

Pictured: The JCF wants the government to extend its provision of free PPE.

Deputy Lyndon Farnham is asking questions in the States Assembly today on how the Government is intending to support the care sector.

Recently, Mrs Kenealy's own care firm, 1-2-1 Care, teamed up with another provider, Orchid Care, to recruit nine experience carers from southern Africa.

Pictured top: Qualified carers from southern Africa, whose recruitment was funded by the private sector, arrive in the island in December.