Reports reveals impact of Covid on Redcar's care homes

The report said care workers had “borne the brunt” of the pandemic, alongside NHS colleagues.

It said: “They have experienced untold trauma witnessing many residents die from this terrible disease and had to cope with continuously changing government guidance on visiting, infection control, testing, isolation, and more. 

“We have seen countless examples of care workers putting others before themselves. 

“They have slept in care homes and care home gardens, away from their own families, to protect vulnerable residents from covid-19.

“They have spent every working day of the last two years wearing hot and uncomfortable personal protective equipment (PPE), worked every weekend, bank holiday, and sacrificed Christmas Day with their loved ones to ensure vulnerable people received the care they needed.”

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The report by Victoria Wilson, the council’s assistant director of adult care and intended as a briefing for members of its adult and communities scrutiny committee, said “without exaggeration” the care sector was a “system in crisis like never before”.

It said: “We know that social care is the fifth blue light service, but it is yet to have parity of esteem with the NHS and care workers are still only paid the National Living Wage for one of the most important jobs in society, caring for our vulnerable. 

“There have been numerous Government grants over the last two years to support the care sector with infection control and workforce retention. 

“This injection of one-off funding has been welcomed and genuinely supported providers to sustain financial viability in the short term. 

“However, our care providers and care workers desperately need long term surety of funding to resolve the ongoing crisis in care.

“It must be recognised that this staff group is exhausted from the relentless pressure of the last two years and the frequently changing guidance they have had to adapt and adhere to, without a great deal of physical support from outside agencies. 

“None of us will ever truly understand what it has been like for those staff who continue today to work on the frontline of this pandemic.”

The report said delivering high quality adult social care was a “significant challenge” and there had been an increase in the complexity of needs and behaviours of people requiring care in residential homes.

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Reduced staff availability had also been a problem for providers since the start of the virus outbreak with high levels of sickness absence and isolation continuing to affect the ability to deliver care.

The report said: “Fortunately, PPE is now widely available, as is testing, and the vaccination programme has helped curb infection transmission and severe disease for many. 

“However, care workers have left the profession in droves in recent months and care providers are doing everything they can to keep the staff they have left. 

“Despite the providers’ best efforts, the staffing crisis in social care has meant several domiciliary care providers have had to hand back packages to the council as they don’t have the staff able or willing to deliver the care if the case is perhaps too challenging or too remote to get to. 

“We have a longer waiting list for care packages now than we ever had before due to a lack of capacity in the local sector. 

“Everybody though who needs support is receiving it.”

‘Extreme pressure’

Most care homes were described as managing admirably despite all that had been thrown at them, but they continued to be under extreme pressure with the Government’s winter plan for the NHS making it clear there was an expectation to get more people out of hospital quicker to help free up beds.

Referring to care quality standards, the report said of 64 care providers commissioned by the council in the borough, 56 were either rated as ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission, six as requiring improvement and one had been recently rated as inadequate.
Last September, Michelle Jackson, the managing director of Caremark (Redcar and Cleveland), which provides support for older people living in their homes, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service her company was currently having to turn down on average five new home care package requests a day from Redcar and Cleveland Council.

This was because it could not recruit carers fast enough to meet demand.

A shortage of staff also meant it was having to “beg” workers to cover gaps in its existing care rota.

She described staff leaving for better paid roles outside the care sector as funding constraints meant the local authority could only pay so much for the company’s services, with some taking up jobs in the likes of fish ‘n’ chip shops.

Ms Jackson suggested the care sector was a poor relation to the NHS and there needed to be a shake up of the system and how it was funded.

Since 2015 the Government has allowed local councils to include an adult social care precept when setting council tax levels in a bid to increase funding for the sector and Redcar and Cleveland intends to levy the maximum 2% increase again this year.

The council recently said there was an ageing population in the borough and more funding was required to provide necessary care and support for older people.

Meanwhile, a national 1.25% rise in National Insurance contributions is due in April as part of a new health and social care levy.

The change is expected to raise an additional £12bn a year, although the funds will initially go towards helping the NHS recover from the pandemic, with a proportion then being moved into the social care system over the next three years.

Despite the immense challenges and pressures in adult social care, those working within the sector remain keen to highlight how rewarding it can be.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is supporting a national recruitment campaign, Made With Care, which runs until the end of March and focuses on the work of professional care assistants, the emotional rewards and opportunities for training and flexible working.

Latest figures show there are more than 300 vacancies in adult social care in Redcar and Cleveland alone.

Jasmine Grey, a care assistant for Caremark, said: “I studied care at college and got my NVQs in Health and Social Care and then did placements and it is always something I wanted to do, to help other people.

“We get to help people in ways no-one else can – it is so worthwhile and totally different from other jobs.”

Linda Teasdale, a supervisor for Caremark, said: “I would say to anyone thinking of a career in care to give it a try.

“All our clients’ needs are different and every day is different.

“It is good to make a difference in someone’s life and support them to stay at home for as long as they can.”

Leanne Manson, the deputy manager of Sand Banks Care Centre, in Redcar, said: “We give our residents the love and support they need every day and the reaction and appreciation you get back goes above and beyond any expectation you might have.

“It can be challenging and hard work, but we have a lot of fun while we are doing it.” 

Lee Smith, an acting manager at Shoreline Nursing Home, in Redcar, said he began in care 23 years ago at the home he works at now.

He said: “I have experienced challenging times, but with the help and support of my colleagues I have always managed to overcome these and move forward.

“For anyone thinking of working in care I would say find out about all the different opportunities available, there are so many ways to progress and achieve your potential that a career in care could be what you are looking for.”

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Councillor Mary Ovens, the cabinet member for adults and communities, added: “Care professionals like Jasmine, Linda, Leanne and Lee have done an unbelievable job throughout the coronavirus pandemic and it is important that we highlight the fantastic work they do and get the message out there that a career in care is rewarding and inspiring.

“It is a very responsible and valued job, and vital to our communities. 

“There are many different roles available and working in care provides the opportunity to be part of something really special.”

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