Virtual event brings 'much needed awareness' of social care in Professional Care Workers' Week

The Care Workers’ Charity is hosting a virtual event between 6-10 September in Professional Care Workers’ Week to “raise much needed awareness" of the social care sector.

This year, Professional Care Workers’ Week highlights issues faced by the care sector and brings people together to share best practice, experiences and discuss how to retain and develop the care workforce.

Karolina Gerlich, chief executive of The Care Workers’ Charity, said, “We are thrilled to announce the return of Professional Care Workers’ Week this September, and hope you will join us as we bring the social care community together to raise much needed awareness of the sector and to share admiration for our incredible workforce.”

The charity’s virtual event (6-10 September) involves a series of discussions and workshops to highlight the work happening in care settings.

Talks include:

- ‘Social Care Reform: too little, too late?’ on 6 September.

- ‘How care providers can show support for LGBTQIA+ team members’ and ‘Addressing the gender divide in social care’ on 8 September.

- ‘Maintaining retention in the sector’ on 9 September.

- ‘Social care bounced back from Covid-19?’ on 10 September.

The care sector “continues to face some of the most challenging times ever”, a spokesperson for home care firm the Great Care Company said, “but we think now is also a great time to celebrate the benefits of working in home care.

“As we mark Professional Care Workers’ Week there really are a lot of benefits to working in care.

"National Minimum Wage for Lincolnshire and Yorkshire for people aged over 23 is currently £8.91 per hour. We think our carers deserve a more competitive wage and pay between £10 and £16.65 per hour, depending on experience. We also have a pay band reward scheme where our staff can progress through different bands as they develop in their roles."

Rather than zero-hour contracts, “we offer fixed hour contracts to all staff to suit their working requirements. This helps to achieve a healthy balance between working and everyday life.

Worst of pandemic behind us but ‘still many hurdles ahead’

“Even with the worst of the pandemic hopefully behind us, there are still many hurdles ahead. We believe with the right team, the right planning and continued dedication to our clients we can help everyone achieve their potential when they choose a career in care with us.

Promising to “make personal development a priority”, the company creates positions internally to enable staff to progress, train and develop.

“Whilst it’s true that working in care can be difficult at times, it’s also incredibly rewarding. Working in care makes a positive difference to people’s lives.

Heather Ronald, a newly recruited home care assistant at The Great Care Company, said: “I was bored in my old job and felt like I needed a new opportunity.

“Then I came across the position of home care worker with The Great Care Company. When I started, my training involved shadowing other team members in the first weeks. They were friendly and helpfully showed me the ropes.

"The clients are happy and I enjoy the work I do to support them to live well. I’m loving learning every aspect of this new job.” The week-long virtual event can be attended by visiting The Care Workers' Charity’s website.

click here for more details or to contact The Great Care Company