Familiar faces back government care recruitment campaign

Well-known names have backed a government campaign to encourage people to take up roles in care in a bid to fill the sector's vacancies.

Reality television star and campaigner Christine McGuinness, who recently fronted a BBC show on her family's experience with autism, Paralympian Ade Adepitan, rapper and star of Dancing on Ice 2021 Lady Leshurr and author and influencer Toni Tone are supporting the Department for Health and Social Care's (DHSC) Made with Care recruitment campaign.

The campaign first launched in November 2021 to help fill positions across the adult social care sector, which has more than 105,000 vacancies. Half a million extra job opportunities in adult social care are expected by 2035.

Concerns over workforce numbers were raised across the sector in November after it was made mandatory for all workers within care homes to have two Covid vaccinations.

The government's release links to a website where available roles in care, including those in catering, are listed.

A total of £5.4bn in additional funding to reform social care over the next three years - including at least £500m to support training and career development for the workforce - was pledged in September, on top of £462.5m to support the recruitment and retention of staff.

McGuinness, whose documentary followed her family after her three children received autism diagnoses, says: "My three children have all been diagnosed with autism and I received my diagnoses towards the end of last year. As part of my research into autism, I have had the pleasure of meeting and speaking to remarkable people working in the adult social care sector and seen what an incredible impact they have on individuals’ lives.

"All people need to get started in their career in social care is their natural qualities, there’s training for everything else. Working in care really does change lives. I have a massive respect for the profession and would encourage anyone looking for a career where they can make a difference to apply."

Gillian Keegan, minister for care, says: "A role in care can provide a truly rewarding and fulfilling career. You need empathy, compassion and patience. For everything else there’s training. You don’t need qualifications to get started and there are many opportunities for professional development.

"Those already working in adult social care are doing an amazing job and we need more people to join them. I would urge anyone who thinks they might have something to offer to consider applying for a rewarding, fulfilling and varied career in adult social care."