Care industry "crisis" over lack of people starting careers in the sector
Care homes across the region are seeing staff shortages
Last updated 4th Jan 2022
Concerns are growing within the care industry over the lack of people starting a career within the sector across the North East.
The Academy for Care and Education has called it a "national crisis" which covers the North East and the rest of the country.
The company work in the region supporting care homes with their workforce development and needs.
Angela Richardson co-runs the company and says care workers have been stretched throughout the pandemic.
She believes the pandemic has had an impact, but stresses that the protection, understanding and training around Covid is now better than it was.
"The care staff has taken a huge battering", said Angela.
"When Covid was spreading through the care homes there was a shortage of PPE and we didn't know much about this disease. Things have changed.
"I think that people are scared of catching Covid, and I think that people are scared of watching older people with Covid become ill.
Ms Richardson added: "It's quite shocking really. We speak to loads of managers and everywhere is finding it difficult to recruit staff who really want to work in the care sector. It doesn't help that a lot of people have had to isolate, and there has been a lot of sickness due to the pandemic, but really, care is a fantastic place to work.
"The people who are employed, if there is staff shortages, are being asked to work extra shifts and become tired, and that's got to be a safety issue. Lots of people want to work for the NHS but social care has got fantastic career opportunities in it too.
"We get to work with families and become part of a team. You do a really meaningful job that affects other peoples lives. You don't just affect the people that you're caring for, you affect their loved ones as well.
"If you are interested in working in care please don't hesitate to contact us."