SweetTree Home Care Services to double its workforce due to increasing demand

A London-based homecare provider needs to almost double its workforce in order to meet increasing demand for its domiciliary care services.

SweetTree Home Care Services, which currently employs just under 400 members of staff, is looking to recruit more than 300 healthcare assistants and support workers in the coming months.

Barry Sweetbaum, managing director of the company, also expects a surge in interest from trainee nurses and others wishing to gain experience in care before pursuing a career in nursing as a result of a pilot scheme launched by health secretary Jeremy Hunt in response to the Francis Inquiry, which investigated serious neglect at Stafford Hospital between 2005 and 2009. Anyone who wants to study a NHS-funded nursing degree will now have to first spend time working as a health care assistant.

Mr Sweetbaum said: “As a company we are continuing to experience sustained growth, including increasing demand for our specialist person-centred dementia care, which has doubled in the last year alone. Alongside this, we are expanding our range of services so we are now seeking exceptional individuals to join our growing care team. “A career in care can be so rewarding and is also the perfect stepping stone into nursing and other health professions.”

Nicki Bones, director of operations at SweetTree Home Care Services, said: “There are so many fantastic opportunities within the care sector and as a company we believe we are leading the way when it comes to investing in our team.

“Organisations like ours can offer the experience and training required for individuals to then go on and join the NHS for further professional qualifications and we have many examples of team members who have done just that.”