Home care boss hires 'record-breaking' number of jab-compliant care workers

Home care firm Respectful Care is reporting “record-breaking” recruitment, having hired 52 new care workers in October alone, who have all agreed to have the Covid-19 vaccine.

Respectful Care's chief executive says the care firm has recently “taken on more carers than ever before, despite concerns that the sector is experiencing staffing shortages”.

Out of the 52 recruits, 50 have already been fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and the remaining two recruits have agreed to be vaccinated before they start work, in accordance with the company’s policy for new employees.

Home care workers and frontline NHS staff are required by law to have the Covid-19 vaccine from April 2022, in order to keep their jobs, Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced.

The new recruits mean the group now has more than 250 staff across its five branches to help 750 people requiring care in their own homes.

Mark Docherty, chief executive of Respectful Care, said: “To have taken on 52 recruits in one month is phenomenal, especially given the current national shortage of care staff.

“There are several factors that have made us an attractive place to work, but a key one is that we’ve recently increased our pay and restructured the company to introduce client relationship managers and a mental health first aider to support our staff.

'Reassuring'

“Given the challenges of the past 18 months or so, ensuring that staff are sufficiently supported is essential and it’s something that’s particularly appealing to people already working in care, as well as those who are looking to enter the sector.”

Respectful Care offers home care services in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and South Yorkshire to support elderly, adults with learning or physical disabilities, and those needing end-of-life care.

Mr Docherty added: “Our small teams of carers and flexible working hours offer a better work-life balance, whilst training opportunities provide scope for professional and personal development, which is helping Respectful Care stand out from other employers, too.

“It’s reassuring to see that there is still staffing movement and expansion within the industry despite a difficult couple of years and with issues still arising post-pandemic.”

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