91.1 Tom Hook, Assistant
Director for Planning, Performance and Engagement introduced the
report by saying that good progress has been made with implementing
the Committee’s recommendations, although the Covid-19
pandemic has had an impact on some areas. Key developments include:
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Improved levels of joint working between Adult
Social Care and the Employment and Skills team.
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The online offer for the independent care sector has
also been enhanced as there now a dedicated web page on East Sussex
County Council’s website which is used for recruitment.
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In terms of other workforce support for the
independent care sector during the pandemic, the Department
provided a range of resources which included training and
recruitment advice and regular email bulletins. The Department also helped the sector access
various government support such as the £1.3m Work Force
Capacity Fund.
91.2 Sara Lewis, Adult
Social Care Training Manager, briefed the Committee on the national
‘Call to Care Campaign’ (which ran between 1 February
and 31 March 2021). The campaign was launched in response to an
urgent need to boost the numbers of short-term staff available
during the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result of the
campaign, the Department received once a week a list of contact
details for individuals who had registered an interest in working
in the care sector. At the time of the
meeting there had been 69 applicants, 21 of which have been
screened and forwarded on to interested provider services.
It is hoped that a significant number
of the individuals recruited as a result of the campaign will value
their new roles and want to stay within the sector.
91.3Councillor Trevor Webb, as Chair of the Adult Social Care
Workforce Scrutiny
Review Board welcomed the report and the progress being made
with implementing the Committee’s
recommendations. Although he also noted
that the workforce environment has been subject to considerable
change since the report was published given the impact of the
pandemic. The Committee then discussed
the report in detail. Set out below is
a summary of the key issues discussed:
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In response to a query about what would happen after
the Call to Care Campaign ended, Members
were informed that the Department will follow-up with every
individual who has registered an interest. Other work includes, for example, exploring
opportunities with the job centre service and the provision
of regular workshops with provider services where workforce issues
and challenges can be discussed.
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The Committee noted that the details of individuals
who had indicated they were not prepared to deliver personal care
(in response to the Call to Care Campaign) were not forwarded on to
service providers. However, some
Members also noted that there are roles where this may not be a
requirement and asked for clarification as to whether these
individuals could be considered for such vacancies. In response, Mark Stainton informed Members that
older people services have a high number of clients who require
support with personal care. As a
result, a willingness to provide personal care was a crucial factor
for the Department when assessing expressions of
interest. Although going forward the
Department will explore if there are suitable vacancies within the
working age range of services.
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The Committee discussed the impact of Covid-19 and
sought clarification about rates of workforce turnover in the
sector. In response Members were
informed that sadly due to the number of excess deaths, some care
homes have furloughed staff and temporarily closed down
units. As a result, rates of turnover
have remained relatively stable in recent months. Although it is anticipated that demand for staff is likely to increase as
the demand for care services picks-up as the national emergency
eases. With regard to potential
workforce challenges relating to Brexit, Members were informed that
the full impact was not yet clear.
Although to help mitigate its potential impact the Department are,
via providers, encouraging relevant staff to complete by the
government deadline documentation which will enable them to remain
in the United Kingdom. In
conclusion therefore, Mr Stainton stated that the current level of
vacancies is not representative of the normal situation or of his
future expectations.
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The Committee asked for clarification from the
Department about the promotion of a career in adult social care to
young people. </AI10>
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In response Members were
informed that this is an area of ongoing work with the Employment
and Skills Group and that the Department will continue to engage
with young people and promote the benefits of a career in adult
social care.
91.4 The Committee RESOLVED
to note the report, and welcome the progress being made
implementing the People Scrutiny Committee’s
recommendations.