More than half of home care workers say they have not received extra funding to deal with coronavirus

Over half of domiciliary staff who care for the disabled and elderly in their own homes, have not received additional funding from local authorities to deal with the pressures of the coronavirus pandemic.

The findings by homecare.co.uk, a leading reviews website for home care services, come despite the government announcing that up to £150 million would be available to support these essential workers.

In May, the government announced a £600 million Infection Control Fund to reduce the transmission of coronavirus in care homes. As part of this new fund, the government announced that 25 per cent, or £150 million, of the money may be used to support domiciliary care workers.

The home care sector is under financial strain as some home care agencies have seen a drop in the number of people they care for due to fears of catching COVID-19 and many have struggled to fund the extra PPE needed to carry out their visits.

homecare.co.uk’s findings suggest that government funding, which is being administered by local authorities, is not getting through to home care workers.

Fifty-two per cent say they have not received extra funding

Fifty-two per cent said they had not received any extra funding from their local authority. Twenty-seven per cent said they had and 21 per cent were unsure.

Of those who had requested extra funding, 50 per cent of 1,366 home care staff who filled in the survey, have received the funds, while 12 per cent were turned down and the remaining 38 per cent were unsure.

A spokesperson for homecare.co.uk said: “It is vital that home care providers receive the funding they desperately need. They have been on the frontline during the pandemic caring for the elderly, the disabled and those with health conditions.

“Many of these are shielding at home unable to go out and home care workers have been an essential lifeline bringing food and medication and human warmth. It is important home care services are given the extra financial support they need so they can carry on their valuable work caring for people.”

Robert Stephenson-Padron, managing director of Penrose Care, a home care provider in London, is calling for funds specifically earmarked for the home care sector to help them through the current crisis.

He said: "Social care providers have been going through incredible adversity during the coronavirus pandemic. Social care providers have risked their lives while serving the most vulnerable in our society. We have had to bear the brunt of an incredible increase in costs due to PPE and we have seen our revenue decline whilst continuing to endure the myriad of structural challenges weighing on social care that preceded the pandemic.

"If it was just for central government to provide £25,000 grants to each hospitality, leisure and lifestyle business, then it would be more than just for central government to provide at least £50,000 grants to each social care provider.”

Morale has remained high among home care workers during the pandemic

Despite the majority of home care workers receiving no extra funding, the survey also revealed that resilience has remained high among home care workers, with 71 per cent of respondents rating their colleague’s morale as either Good or Excellent.

However, one in five home care workers said that they need support with their mental health due to experiences during the crisis.

The survey by homecare.co.uk also found that one in three home care workers said vulnerable adults have struggled to get medication during the pandemic and 41 per cent of home care workers said they have seen those they care for struggle to get hold of food.

The survey, which was conducted during the seventh week of lockdown, also sheds a light on the heroic efforts of home care workers supporting the elderly and vulnerable.

Responding to the challenges facing this group, 85 per cent of home care workers said that either they or their colleagues had bought essentials for those they care for.

In addition the survey revealed a mental health crisis among the elderly and vulnerable may be emerging as over half of home care staff report being concerned for the mental health of those they care for, since the start of the pandemic.

The survey of home care staff which had 1,366 respondents ran from 06/05/20 to 12/05/20. Full details of the questions referenced can be found below.

Have you received any extra funding from your local authority to help with the cost of the pandemic?

Yes – 27%

No – 52 %

Unsure – 21%

Have you been refused extra funding after requesting it?

Yes – 12%

No – 50 %

Unsure – 38%

Home care staff are going through a demanding time both emotionally and physically. How do you rate staff morale?

Excellent – 22%

Good – 48%

Satisfactory – 20%

Poor – 7%

Very poor – 3%

Do you feel you need support with your mental health due to the experiences you are going through during the pandemic?

Yes – 20%

No – 68%

Unsure – 12%

Are you working more hours than you were before the pandemic?

Yes – 43%

No – 57%

Have you experienced clients struggling to get medication during the pandemic?

Yes - 32%

No – 58%

Unsure – 10%

Have you experienced clients struggling to get food during the pandemic?

Yes – 41%

No – 55%

Unsure – 4%

Are you or any of your colleagues visiting shops to buy essentials for clients?

Yes – 85%

No – 11%

Unsure – 4%

Do you think loneliness has become more of an issue for those in your care since the pandemic? Yes - 86%

No - 8%

Unsure - 6%

Do you have clients for whom you have become concerned for their mental health since the outbreak of COVID-19?

Yes - 57 %

No - 34%

Unsure 9%

Do you have clients where you are the only contact they have with the outside world?

Yes - 80%

No - 17%

Unsure - 3%

Do you have clients with suspected (but not confirmed) COVID-19?

Yes – 27%

No – 65%

Unsure - 8 %

Do you have clients with confirmed COVID-19?

Yes - 22%

No – 72%

Unsure - 6%

With the government’s recent increase in testing capacity, do you now have practical access to testing for clients?

Yes - 33%

No - 43%

Unsure - 24 %

Do you have staff with suspected (but not confirmed) COVID-19?

Yes - 28%

No - 58%

Unsure - 14%

Do you have staff with confirmed COVID-19? Yes - 16%

No - 71%

Unsure – 13%

What percentage of your staff have been unable to work due to the impact of COVID-19?

22%

With the government’s recent increase in testing capacity, do you now have practical access to testing for staff?

Yes – 60%

No - 24%

Unsure - 16%

Have you received sufficient quantities of PPE?

Yes - 59%

No - 36%

Unsure - 5%

Do you feel the PPE you have received is safe and offers enough protection?

Yes - 63%

No - 26%

Unsure - 11%

Do you believe the government should be doing more to help home care providers source PPE?

Yes - 83%

No - 8%

Unsure - 9%

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