Frontline care staff will receive ‘thank you’ payments in recognition of their heroic efforts since the outset of the COVID pandemic and over the challenging winter months
The Council has chosen to allocate the Government’s Workforce Recruitment and Retention Grant funding of £476K to external providers employing adult social care staff, to pass on to carers in recognition of their continuing hard work.
Bonus payments will be paid to reward carers for the vital role they undertake in helping to keep people independent at home, looking after them in care homes and supporting those returning home after hospital stays, which is critical in helping our hospitals and NHS cope over this hugely difficult period.
Carers, senior carers, nurses, care coordinators, activity staff undertaking personal care will all benefit.
In January the Council launched a recruitment campaign to support the care sector ‘New Year - New Job, Could you help someone live their best life?’ and in addition to bonus ‘thank you’ payments for existing staff, ‘welcome’ payments will be paid to new starters joining frontline care before the end of March 2022.
Carers in Reading support over 1,500 adults with social care needs in any one year, helping residents live as independently as possible - including older people, people with physical disabilities or learning disabilities and people with mental health that impacts their daily lives.
Cllr John Ennis, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Adult Social Care said: “These one-off bonuses are a thank you to existing frontline staff who, alongside our NHS have been heroic in responding to the enormous challenges the pandemic has brought to their roles.”
“Social care staff work incredibly hard, 365 days of the year, every single year. Without them the whole health and social care system would not function. We want those staff to know they are enormously valued. It is also essential that we do everything possible to retain dedicated staff.”
“The shortage of care staff across the country is well documented and we hope a ‘welcome’ payment will help our external care providers attract new staff to what remains a hugely rewarding profession. It is a unique job - every day you get to make a real difference to somebody’s life.”
There are a range of vacancies available within the local care sector; residential, home care and supported living areas, roles available include temporary, permanent, full-time or part-time. No previous experience is needed and training and support will be given.
To find out more visit www.reading.gov.uk/adult-care/adultcare/information-for-care-providers/home-care-and-support-framework/
Reading Borough Council is signed up to the Ethnical Care Charter and ensures care providers pay the real Living Wage to staff.