Childcare recruitment - Jersey has a serious image problem

Wednesday 27 July 2016

Jersey's Health Minister has revealed that recruiting good childcare staff is being hampered by the Island's bad image following claims of historic child abuse.

The £23m Jersey Care Inquiry will present its report into claims of abuse as far back as the post-war years - and one of the early effects is that the numerous bad headlines have seriously affected the Island’s ability to attract staff to top health jobs.

Health Minister Andrew Green has vowed to help clean up Jersey’s tarnished reputation in the years to come, saying: “It is something we have to get right - but there is no quick fix.” 

Even though the inquiry has been investigating child abuse going back many decades, Senator Green said job applicants have ‘Google-ed’ the Island - and been horrified by allegations of widespread child abuse.   

Senator Green said: “We have just finished the inquiry and we are waiting for the result of that. There is no science behind this but it does make it very difficult recruiting people when they see the headlines from stories of the past. 

“When people Google after applying for a job it does affect them. I’ve had feedback from staff in my department and we have got to work through that. 

“That’s not an excuse not to get the right people. We are lucky in that we have got three new directors starting soon, but where there is a shortage of highly skilled people, like the head of CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service), then that would be a factor when people are deciding where to go. 

“I believe that once the inquiry has finished their report - and a plan is in place to deal with the issues - then we should enjoy a much more positive phase, going forward. People will then see they can really make a big difference working in Jersey and we might then find it easier to recruit.”

In a meeting of yesterday’s Health and Social Services Scrutiny Panel, Senator Green was asked about recruitment in childcare by Deputy Jacqueline Hilton. 

She asked: “With regard to recruitment, if you were struggling to get the right staff, do you think childcare services should be treated as a special case? Are there extra incentives put in place to ensure you get the right staff?”

Senator Green replied: “They are already treated as a special case. I’m afraid we are not a very good career option at the present time when you look at the reputation around things that have happened in the past. 

“That is part of the challenge that myself as a Minister and my team of officers have to change so that people can come here and make a huge difference to our young people. This is really, really important to us and it is something we have to get right - but there is no quick fix. 

“There is certainly both political and officer-led determination to ride this through, so that our young people are appropriately protected.”  

The childcare services budget has been a big winner from the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) which will be discussed by States members for ratification in September.

The childcare budget will increase by 2% every year, plus an extra £5.5m in 2016, £6.75m in 2017 and 7m in 2018. 

The Jersey Care Inquiry began in April 2014 and finished last month, with the report due out later this year. Its initial budget was set at £6m, but the inquiry is now expected to cost £23m, including legal fees.