Housing 21 News

Care staff boost for Walsall

The proposed partnership between Housing 21 and Walsall Council grew a step nearer this month with the launch of a recruitment campaign.

Housing 21 is recruiting 36 part-time care staff in preparation for the transfer, at the end of February, of ten council-run care homes and six day care centres.

Under the terms of the agreement, we will take over the running of the existing services and over a three year period, replace the existing care homes and day centres with new units. Approximately 400 existing staff will also transfer to Housing 21.

The recruitment opportunity is a boost for local people interested in careers in care. As well as receiving ongoing training, competitive pay, a pension and holiday entitlement, successful applicants can look forward to the satisfaction of helping residents remain in their own homes and community.

Housing 21's Operational Manager for the Walsall Project, Deborah Rostant, said: "This is an exciting opportunity to work with older people as we develop extra care over the next three years. By providing the security that comes with the care and support services we provide, the carers will help people to live independently, for as long as possible, in their own homes rather than in residential care.

"We are recruiting more carers now and will provide further training for the existing staff so that the transition will be as smooth as possible."

Councillor Barbara McCracken, Walsall Council cabinet member for Social Care, Health & Housing, said: "The modernisation of the service and the development of the extra care schemes offer tremendous prospects for older people and also those seeking a long term career in social care, with an excellent care provider.

Improvements have been made because of our strong leadership, our good management, our committed employees and our ability with partners to get things done."

The three-year programme will see the development of five extra care schemes with day care, a residential and day care unit for people with dementia and a residential unit for rehabilitation.