Care work is hugely important yet there are more roles unfilled than ever before, leaving people without the help they need. There are several aspects to this problem that we’re going to take a look at.
Supporting the struggling NHS
We all know that the NHS is in trouble. There aren’t enough beds or staff, and waiting lists are long, yet since the pandemic, fewer patients have been admitted and hospital stays have been longer. It’s possible that a lack of home carers could be contributing to these longer stays in hospitals – in some cases, a patient can’t be discharged until a care package is in place for them. Conversely, more carers are needed to do more for people waiting for operations and unable to do things for themselves in the meantime.
The impact of Brexit and Covid-19
There is no denying that there have been huge impacts on the healthcare sector by first Brexit and then the pandemic. The social care sector was hit hard by Brexit. In the past, the care system has relied too heavily on EU and international recruitment so the barriers created by Brexit have had a heavy toll.
Covid created a huge reduction in the British workforce, partly due to sickness, but also migration of workers. The rising cost of living has also affected the care work sector. Care work is rarely well-paid, forcing some people to seek alternative employment to keep paying the bills.
The pandemic itself also affected the people working in social care. As frontline workers, carers went through a tough time, which may well have made some people reconsider their choice of career. There is also the problem that some will have been ill with Covid themselves and either chosen or been unable to return to work.
Why choose care work?
We’ve just described a struggling work sector, and now we’re asking you to consider joining it. People who work in care admit that it’s hard work, but they enjoy it. There is immense satisfaction in helping people with their day-to-day needs. If you’re looking for a job that has meaning, care work could be that job.
It takes a certain temperament to be successful in a career in care, particularly if you choose to work in our learning disabilities care home in Uckfield, East Sussex. Regular home care can mean helping with light housework, personal care such as washing and dressing, and having a good chat while you do so. For many people, carers are the only people they get to see and talk to in a day. Adult learning disabilities care is a bit different to standard care work.
At Halland House, we have residents with all levels of learning disabilities. This ranges from people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, who may be non-verbal and need a wheelchair, to people living in our dedicated annexe, who are developing independent living skills. You will need training to deal with behaviours of concern and learn different methods of communication. Our highly dependent residents need round-the-clock support, while residents in The Lodge may not need much support other than offering encouragement.
We like to think of ourselves as a family here at Halland House. While the work isn’t easy, you’re not alone. You have a team to give support when you need it, from ensuring you have the right training to offering a shoulder when you’ve had a bad day. Continuity of care is particularly important for people with learning disabilities, so we do our best to make sure all our team are happy and want to stay with us. You can visit our website to find out more about careers at Halland House.