Care for your city

A new recruitment drive has been launched to sign up carers in Stoke-on-Trent to meet the needs of the city’s most vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 crisis.

#StokeCares is a new initiative that has been set up by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in response to the coronavirus pandemic. It aims to recruit at least 40 additional carers from across the city to continue to provide essential care in residents’ own homes.

There are currently approximately 1,500 residents across the city receiving home care organised by the city council. Since the coronavirus outbreak, there has been an increase in demand of more people needing care to meet their everyday needs. Some of these individuals are self-isolating and so require extra support.

As part of the scheme all recruited carers will be given:

• Training by experienced and qualified council teams, in areas including safeguarding adults and administering medication and supporting vulnerable people
• Shadowing opportunities with experienced existing staff, with on-the-job training for providing one-to-one care with individuals
• Personal protective equipment to safeguard against the spread of the virus.

The role also includes general tasks such as ensuring individuals have their correct medication, have enough to eat and drink, and can get dressed, get up and/or go to bed safely. Recruits will also be asked to complete wellbeing checks such as reporting any health or mental health concerns.

Those who provide personal care – such as bathing and helping people go to the toilet – will also be given an additional monthly payment on top of the normal wage which is expected to be an additional £200 a month for someone who works full-time.

It is expected applicants will already have:

• A caring and compassionate nature
• Good communication and listening skills
• The ability to prioritise workloads

A background in care is not necessary as full training will be provided, although it is helpful.

The city council has already redeployed 56 employees from different areas across the authority to support adult social care services. Start dates can vary - hours are flexible and can be in the week, at weekends or in the evenings to suit. 

The scheme is being funded through a £1m grant to the council from the government to directly support the demand for adult social care through the pandemic.

Councillor Abi Brown, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council and cabinet member for corporate resource, strategy and partnerships said: “Our health and social care staff are heroes. They are working round the clock to deliver essential care and compassion to those in need in the city during the pandemic. We want to make sure that this vital support continues no matter what and that’s why we want more people to come and join our team.

“We’ve already demonstrated what a caring and compassionate city we are with many residents already signing up to volunteer for the coronavirus support network #StokeonTrentTogether since it launched last week and many other groups and organisations across the city offering their own support.

“We are now asking for honest, reliable and kind people to come forward to take up these new roles. Training is provided and flexible hours are available to fit around people’s daily lives. If you or anyone you know is interested, we’d urge you to get in touch.”

Anybody interested in #StokeCares can visit https://www.stoke.gov.uk/jobs and search for ‘Casual Care Worker (Personal Wellbeing Assistant)’ or can call 01782 238019 for more information.