The adult social care sector is being urged by the Minister for Care to back the next phase of a recruitment campaign launched by the Department of Health and Social Care.

The first phase of the campaign has already generated a 14% uplift in clicks on the apply button for care roles on DWP Find a Job and 97% more searches for jobs containing ‘care’ or ‘care worker’.

The next phase of the campaign will run from autumn 2019 to April 2020, with the Department calling for support from providers across the adult social care sector to advertise vacancies and share success stories.

Minister for Care, Caroline Dinenage, said: “The social care sector is crying out for talented care workers with the right values. We’ve seen from the campaign already that there are the right people out there but there is still a huge demand and we must reach out to more people to show them that careers in adult social care can be varied, rewarding and flexible. I’m calling on the social care sector to rally together and lend us their support again to bring to life the true rewards of caring and showcase the qualities needed to do the vast range of diverse jobs in care.”

Building on the success of the first phase, which ran from February to April 2019, the campaign will showcase the mutual reward for both those working in care and those they support, and highlight the diversity of roles in the sector. Providers are being urged to send in case studies of those working in the sector and continue to advertise vacancies both on DWP Find a Job and on local jobs boards.

The campaign promises to make a real difference to providers. One in four (26%) care employers surveyed after the first phase saw an increase in either enquiries, applications, interviews or vacancies filled.

The first PR activity burst in the autumn will showcase the values and flexibility of working in care through recruitment events where those considering a career in care work, in particular those with existing caring responsibilities such as parents, will be invited to come for an interview with their children in tow. Two events will be held in London and Southampton, with care providers across the UK also encouraged to hold their own recruitment events – a toolkit to help them to do this will be available.

The second burst will build on people’s desire for change and self-improvement in the New Year by showcasing how a new career in care could offer professional growth and development as well as more fulfilment.

If you are a care provider and would like to support the campaign by sharing case studies, contact everydayisdifferent@dhsc.gov.uk.

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