Recruitment and Retention
Let’s get interested in a career in social care
Working in social care gives individuals the opportunity to have a positive impact on people’s lives. There are so many different roles to choose from and different work settings – this sector really can offer lots of choice and career opportunities.
Getting people interested and understanding social care is the biggest hurdle
Resources here will support you publicise a range of job roles and support you in raising the profile of the sector. Case studies focus on how to promote the sector and attract recruits using differing opportunities.
Using social media to attract recruits
Bexley Case Study Learning and Development Hack Day
Raising the profile of Personal Assistants Case Study
Oxfordshire CC – Case Study – Attracting Older Workers
Skills for Care: A Career Pathway
Kent County Council: Branding our Recruitment Campaigns & Materials
East Sussex County Council: A Career Pathway An Elderly Persons Journey Through Services
Bluebird Care: Using Innovation To Improve Recruitment & Retention Within The Care Sector
Pre-employment in social care
One of the biggest challenges we face in social care is the high turnover of new staff who leave very soon after employment because they didn’t know what to expect from the job. Exploring work experience opportunities and pre-employment programmes helps to support potential recruits in understanding the sector and the work, whilst also giving them initial skills, knowledge and confidence when starting employment. The case studies here showcase pre-employment opportunities including sector based work academies.
Work Experience – A Teachers Guide
Surrey Skills Academy – Case Study Sector Based Work Academy
Running a recruitment campaign
Running a recruitment campaign always needs a lot of planning and a lot of resources. Several South East authorities have run targeted recruitment programmes and produced a range of resources that are now available for sharing. Start by looking at the guide from NHS England on running a recruitment drive, there are several case studies on local recruitment campaigns and resources that people have produced in support of local activity.
NHS England – Supporting you to run a recruitment campaign
West Sussex – Case Study Running a local recruitment campaign
Using social media in recruitment
Case Study – Attracting older workers media campaign
West Sussex postcard – Consider a Career in Care
West Sussex Recruitment Poster
Getting people started
Successful retention partly depends on how quickly we can support people into meaningful employment with the right levels of support so that they feel able to confidently do the job they have been recruited for. Information here can be found on employment checks, right to work fact sheet and information on immigration checks. You will also find a link to a page with full information and resources on how to support someone through the Care Certificate – an essential part of induction.
All you need to know about Employment Checks
Fact sheet on checks for the right to work
Immigration and care providers guidance
Career development
Developing the skills and talents of all staff is key to retention and starts at the point of recruitment. Local authorities will want to maximise use of their apprenticeship levy and case studies below may give additional ideas for using the apprenticeship route.
Rotational Apprenticeships Case Study
Leaderships for Front Line Managers Case Study
East Sussex: A Career Pathway – Elderly Persons Journey Through Services