Population ‘barrier’ relaxed to attract Social Services staff

Friday 09 February 2018

Jersey’s Housing and Work Law has been relaxed for partners of health and social services employee’s to try and resolve a skills struggle.

22 significant roles within Social Services are currently being delivered by agency workers as recruitment “remains a challenge” according to the department’s Director.

The struggles of attracting and appointing much-needed skilled workers within Social Services was highlighted within a public hearing by the ‘Care of Children’ review panel who were questioning the Chief Minister on the progress made on the eight recommendations by the Independent Care Inquiry report.

Jersey’s Managing Director of Community and Social Services, Susan Devlin – who sat alongside the Chief Minister in the meeting – confirmed a “high percentage of posts are covered by agency staff” including two heads of services, one team manager, three senior practitioners and 16 social workers. She couldn’t confirm how much money is being spent on using these workers but said they were paying standard agency rates and they are looking to develop a cost framework.

Ms Devlin said the struggle was because “we are fishing in a small pond and we have additional issues with relocation.”

Pictured: The 'Care for Children in Jersey' Review Panel consists of Deputy Mike Higgins, Deputy Tracey Vallois, Deputy Sam Mezéc and Senator Sarah Ferguson. 

Assistant Chief Minister Senator Paul Routier, who was also in the hearing, said he had relaxed the Housing and Work Law as it was proving to be a “barrier for partners.” Senator Routier signed the order to except nurses, midwives and social workers “co-habiting partners to have access to the employment market.”

A number of posts within Social Services have now been advertised, with the hope of interviews being carried out over the next few months. Ms Devlin described this as “making some success.”

The appointment of a ‘Children Rights Officer’ has been delayed though. The Chief Minister had hoped to have the role filled by March, but the advert will only be going out that month as Senator Gorst said “we are a bit further behind [schedule] but we’ve got to get this right.”

Senator Sarah Ferguson questioned whether the ‘Workforce Modernisation’ changes to States employee contracts - which are currently being negotiated – are putting people off applying for States jobs. Senator Gorst said although recruitment is difficult, the changes are “the right thing to do (…) if the unions say no we will sit down and consider how we can take that forward.”

Pictured: Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, was questioned on the progress made on the eight recommendations by the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry Panel.

Although she’s only been in the role for five weeks, the panel – led by Deputy Sam Mezéc - wanted to know what progress the new Children’s Commissioner had made. The Chief Minister said she had shared information from people she’s spoken too, which some stories included those they had heard and others they hadn’t. He described them as “uncomfortable” to listen to and they “will produce challenges for the next assembly.”

The ‘next assembly’ phrase was commonly used in the meeting – as many were aware the work to address the eight recommendations by the Independent Care Inquiry report is in its infancy and would have to be taken on by the next group of elected politicians after May.

The Chief Minister assured that the election would not hold up the work being carried out ‘behind the scenes’ as the department officers seeing the recommendations through “are not going anywhere.”

The work includes developing a ‘Practise Model’ so all data is filed into a much more streamline system. The Health Minister described it as “one record, for one child, in one place” so all services including police, health, education and social services can access it. They hope to implement this in May, but it will take some time before it’s being used properly as hundreds of staff within the public and private services need to be trained to use it.

Recommendations including the role of independent visitors, corporate parent and a children’s plan are also being addressed. There are plans to openly discuss improvements to the ‘Jersey Way’ in September 2018.