TRAFFORD Council is set to hold two recruitment days to try and plug the gaps in its social care sector as staff shortages persist.

Those wishing to work in social care will be able to attend two recruitment events starting from next week where local care providers will be on hand to discuss opportunities and answer questions about social care careers.

Over the summer, one ‘outstanding’ care home agency in Urmston, Beloved Homecare, failed to fill a single vacancy in its hunt for new social care workers and the borough was already facing staff pressures in this sector long before the Covid pandemic hit.

Research conducted by the United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) has found the pandemic has only exacerbated long-standing issues of recruitment and retention in the sector, with demand for services rising and more people leaving the sector due to ‘low pay and burnout’.

One care worker in Stockport launched a campaign calling for higher pay for Greater Manchester’s social care workers this week, with the help of her union.

Danielle Dolan, Stockport care worker and UNISON representative said: “As care workers, we care for Greater Manchester. But sometimes, we are left wondering – does Greater Manchester care about us?

“We feel under-valued, under-appreciated and under-paid.”

A petition is now circulating, calling for a living wage for care sector workers.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “If we choose to prioritise [paying care workers the living wage], it can happen.

“We must call out what is fundamentally unsupportable in any circumstance – that people who are paid to care are not paid enough to live on. If you care as a profession, you should be paid enough to feed your family.

“That message needs to ring out from Greater Manchester until its heard and until it’s acted upon. This reality has to change and it has to change fast. I’m going to challenge myself about what more we can do.”

In light of its own struggles to fill vacancies this summer, Beloved Homecare believes that people in and around Trafford are missing out on ‘rewarding careers in care because of the negative image of the industry’.

Cllr Jo Harding, Trafford Council’s executive member for adult services, and Cllr James Wright, executive member for housing, are both passionate about the sector and will also be at the recruitment events in Trafford in the coming weeks.

Cllr Harding said: “Carers do an incredible job and make such a big difference to people suffering from ill health.

“The sector is currently looking for more people to get involved and I would urge everyone to come along to the recruitment event and have a look.

“If you have a passion for helping others, are patient and work well with others, and love to make a difference then the care profession could be just the job for you.”

The first recruitment event will take place on Thursday, November 25, from 12.30pm to 2pm, at St John’s Centre, St John’s Road, Stretford.

Then, on Wednesday, December 1, the second event takes place from 11.30am to 1pm at Age UK Trafford, Church Road, Urmston.

There will be free coffee and cake provided, and a chance to speak to some of the local care providers who carry out care work within Trafford.

The WEA, a voluntary sector provider of adult education, will also be on hand to talk about qualifications that can support people into the care profession.

For information about the events, email rebecca.poole@trafford.gov.uk.