Cornerstone’s Chief Executive welcomes government’s latest recruitment drive

Specialist care provider Cornerstone Healthcare Group has welcomed Government’s “Every Day is Different” care worker recruitment campaign.

The campaign is set to target under 40’s to take up jobs such as care workers, therapists and activities co-ordinators.

The recruitment drive will be running in February and March and will focus on the rewarding and diverse nature of care work.

There are more than 1.4 million people working in social care – a figure that needs to rise by 650,000 by 2035 to cope with an ageing population.

Cornerstone Chief Executive Johann van Zyl commented “We are very lucky at Cornerstone to have many dedicated care staff and do not experience the dire staff shortages felt by others in the sector. However, this does not mean that we are immune to the problem and with our future growth plans across England, we shall at some stage be exposed to the national shortage of care workers like everybody in the sector.

With the uncertainty of Brexit and the aging population, it is imperative that both private and public bodies work together to establish a long-term plan for delivery of services within the sector and this recruitment drive is a step in the right direction, but the need is greater than only a two month campaign.”

Van Zyl urged Government bodies to continue to work closely with the independent sector to formulate strategies to not only recruit but also to retain staff. ”

Combined training plans to equip care staff for the job at hand, might be the first step to improve retention. Most appointments of Health Care Assistants break down within the first three months after a placement.

Perhaps we need to boost this campaign Government proposes by launching a Government Sponsored Induction Process for Care Workers in both the Independent and Public sector. Care staff are hunger for more training, but most of us in the independent health care sector can only afford two weeks of training on induction for new carers on arrival.”

Van Zyl adds “Care sector staff do an amazing job in a sector that is extremely undervalued. As a company we work hard to make sure that our staff feel valued.

We support them with their emotional well-being as we know that caring for our residents can be emotionally demanding. We would like to see this type of support in all areas of the care sector and welcome the opportunity to support the Government in their recruitment strategies”

Cornerstone Healthcare Group Ltd operates two specialist nursing homes; South Africa Lodge in Waterlooville and Kitnocks House in Curdridge. The homes care for people with complex neurological, physical and mental health needs associated with challenging behaviours.