“We still face significant issues in terms of recruitment; with an aging population and currently over fifty home care jobs advertised, this is something that everyone in our industry is currently concerned about,” Beth Gicquel of Cambrette Care said in reflection on the company’s tenth anniversary.

She took over the care provider with her husband, Paul, in August 2008 and have since grown to a team of over forty staff, with many clients who they support in their own homes.

A registered nurse and former inspector regulator in Care, Beth has always worked in the care industry. She says that when Cambrette Care started in Jersey, the industry looked very different. "There were very few companies at the time, probably just half a dozen. There are four times that now. Obviously, some of the companies that we started with have left and others have come in."

Pictured: Beth says it is important to maintain the choice for patients who want to stay in their own home.

The couple say they have seen some real challenges in the profession, from changes in government funding to increased, but necessary, regulation. Today they have to meet one of their biggest challenges: that of increased demand. This has brought in another issue for the couple: recruiting staff. 

Beth explains that they could hire three more people just this month, but they are struggling to do so. She told Express: "We are working positively to try and recruit people, but we know there is a shortage across the whole island and on a larger scale as well." 

With not enough staff available, Beth says she consistently has to turn people asking for care. "Due to the ageing population, the demand has increased. When we started 10 years ago, I probably had to turn one or two people a month because we couldn't work it out. Now I get phone calls every week and I have to say no to at least half of them because we simply can't do it.

"The Long Term Care Benefit gave people access to care in their own homes, which is fantastic. It was an amazing thing to be produced. It gives people who want to stay home the choice to, we need to work hard to be able to sustain that choice and keep the momentum going."

Pictured: Beth and Paul Gicquel took over Cambrette Care ten years ago.

For Beth, plugging the recruitment gap will not necessarily be solved by young islanders going into a care career. The solution might actually be in the older generations with experience working in different fields, but with qualities that are sought after in the care industry: compassion, patience and a caring attitude. 

Beth says: "We are looking at ladies and gentlemen who might want a change of career and have something to offer, either practical skills or a compassionate approach. We have training packages available and are willing to take them on-board, even if they don't have a background in care. It's all about a skill mix.

"If people haven't thought of care as a career I would encourage them to have a chat with providers. We would certainly be delighted to hear from anybody with an interest."

“We look after people who are 18 and upwards. We of course have several individuals in their 90s, but we also had younger ones. As we look after people in their own homes, it is all on a one-to-one basis. Therefore you are able to build a rapport quickly and have a wonderful professional relationship with your clients."