Keeping a strong, motivated workforce is a big task for any sector, but for adult social care, it’s vital. We all encounter adult social care services at some point in our lives, whether it’s for our own health, or when someone we love needs extra help. As a council, it’s not just a service that we must provide; we want to do right by the people who need care, and the people who provide it.
According to Skills for Care, in March 2022 there were around 18,000 adult social care roles in Leicestershire alone. Each has different challenges, rewards, and expectations—and each job helps the people of Leicestershire live a little better every day.
But who looks after the people who look after us?
Enter Inspired to Care: a group set up to motivate, appreciate and support recruitment in the sector. Jenny from the team took some time to explain her role:
My name is Jenny Heap, and I am a recruitment and retention officer for Inspired to Care. I come from a domiciliary care background and adult social care has given me such a rewarding career that when I got the opportunity to join the Inspired team, I jumped at the chance!
We currently support over 350 care businesses that provide support to anyone aged 18 and over. One key aspect of our strategy is introducing innovative recruitment initiatives. Our presence throughout Leicester and Leicestershire helps us to connect with potential caregivers who may not have considered a career in social care. Through workshops, informational sessions, and online platforms, we help break down barriers and promote the sector as a fulfilling and worthwhile career path.
The biggest part of promoting the sector for us must be ‘The Care Professional of The Year Awards.’ It gives us the opportunity to recognise the work and dedication of people and organisations within and supporting the adult social care sector. With sixteen distinct categories open for nominations, we work hard to enable the awards to grow, giving increased opportunities for people to share the wonderful stories of work and dedication in the nominations they put forward.
Inspired to Care is a small team of four, and each year the awards feels like a mammoth-sized event to pull off. But occasions such as this make our workforce feel the value and appreciation they deserve, and encourage those amazing people to continue with their invaluable work in our local communities.
Person:Jenny Heap, Social Care Recruitment & Retention Officer
The Inspired to Care team will be hosting the Care Professional of the Year Awards on Friday 4 October 2024, with tickets now on sale.
Find out more about the team, or search for adult social roles, by visiting Inspired to Care.