£10 million Social Care Funding Award for University of Sheffield
New mandatory vaccines law for social workers in November has resulted in 300 staff Hertfordshire care workers leaving their jobs. In efforts to encourage social workers to remain in their jobs, £7.8 million investment has been part funded with £2.8 million from the Government’s Adult Care Services Workforce and Recruitment Grant, and 5 million will be provided from joint Hertfordshire County Council and NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups funds.
Conservative councillor Mr Roberts observed that there are huge pressures within the social care sector because of growing concerns that the mandatory vaccine will increase staff turnover; he explains that he really wants care workers to stay working in the social sector over winter. In efforts to encourage staff to stay he commented “we want to show our appreciation and make sure [care workers] are rewarded for their continued dedication and effort.”
Mr Roberts continued “We are so grateful to care workers who have done such incredible work throughout a really challenging time. Without them the whole health and social care system could not function”
Camille Leavold, managing director and co-founder of Abbots Care, home care provider in Hertfordshire, previously expressed concerns that recruitment would be a challenge after the mandatory vaccine law. She said “Retention and recruitment is tougher now than before the pandemic”. The new fund gives care home providers the support with recruitment going forward and makes a positive change to social workers lives.
Camille said: “Our highly skilled staff work incredibly hard, 365 days of the year. As well as the challenges COVID-19 has presented, winter will bring additional pressure to those working in social care to keep residents in need of care and support well”. She added “We’re delighted that the public sector in Hertfordshire is acknowledging the part we play with this funding, not just in response to the pandemic, but in keeping the wider health service running smoothly”.
