A care sector in turmoil - Is direct recruitment a solution?

There is no doubt that the care sector is in turmoil and in some ways may never be the same as a time before Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic as, before all of that, factors such as an ageing population, pay and conditions and increased sector competition were already putting a strain on care.

Jo B Wilkins, Head of Care Support Services at Bush & Co, a leading brand in case management and expert witness services, shares her views on the care sector and the world of direct recruitment for people following catastrophic injury.

The level of uncertainty and disruption in the UK care sector has reached unprecedented levels in recent years. Inconsistencies in government funding for business owners and support workers within the sector is often quoted as the main driver of a reality where resources are stretched to their limits and operators within the sector are struggling to meet the standards of care needed by an increasing number of patients.

Many of the challenges within the sector have existed for many years, but others have surfaced more recently and will have a lasting effect. Traditional challenges are seen as including an ageing population, changes to the levels and structure of government funding, pay and conditions for support workers, a fragmented care home sector and increased competition. Add to that the new challenges of Brexit and Covid-19 and the care sector creaks further under the pressure.

These issues have had a profound impact on patients and their families, with the uncertainty surrounding immediate and continuing care the cause of great anxiety and distress.

THE COST OF CARE

The diversification within the sector has seen a number of independent care home owners struggling financially and selling to larger operators with more resources. Costs often increase as a result, as higher fees are needed to meet greater operating costs and shareholder expectations.

The inability of government funding to keep pace with the changes in an individual patient’s needs can also create a deficit in funding, leaving families and care providers vulnerable to being without sufficient funding to maintain levels of care at short notice.

Increases in care costs place greater emphasis on ensuring awards remain aligned, so appropriate levels of care continue and don’t become too expensive. Knowing they are in the right place receiving the right care from the right people has an enormous positive impact on people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Concerns can be mitigated further by the way that care is provided and for many, direct recruitment is the solution.

THE BENEFITS OF DIRECT EMPLOYMENT

As the name suggests, direct employment uses available funding to recruit dedicated support workers Bespoke packages of care to deliver social care, as opposed to can be developed and using a care agency to source staff. Both implemented, providing patients approaches have benefits, with direct employment offering consistent and with all the benefits of being an monitored care,while the care agency route employer and the peace of mind perhaps offers greater agility to react to the that the administration is all unexpected. Whether funded using a settlement taken care of. from a court action or a local authority personal health budget, direct employment places greater control with the patient, making them the recognised employer of their support worker and allowing them to select and develop relationships with the people providing their care. ■

At Bush & Co, Bush Care Solutions provides comprehensive, cost-effective patient care management using the direct employment model, with dedicated Case Managers or Care Managers (where a case manager is not in place) operating under delegated responsibility to oversee a patient’s care plan and perform a supervisory role over support workers.

To find out more about the benefits of direct employment and Bush Care Solutions, contact Jo

Wilkins, Head of Care Support Services and CQC

Registered Manager at hello@bushco.co.uk.