Campaign seeks county’s carers
Giant billboards along with smaller versions and bus advertising will begin appearing around the county from February 1st and will run into March. There will also be adverts going out on Facebook and via e mail
The posters feature real carers alongside their comments about why caring as a profession is so important to them.
Kate Terroni, OCC’s Deputy Director, Joint Commissioning said : ”This is a very exciting campaign which I hope will help us to recruit some of the 7,500 extra carers we need to look after our growing population over the next 10 years.
"As the Council continues to support people with more complex needs to live independently in their own homes, social care workers are increasingly important. Nationally we already have 1.5 million workers in the care industry and that figure is expected to grow by a further million over the next 10 years.
“However it is not just numbers, we need the right people in the job which is why we are launching this campaign to recruit people with the right values, behaviours and attitudes, to be care workers.
“We know it is not the easiest job out there but it is certainly one of the most fulfilling and rewarding. Care and support workers in home care and in care homes go home knowing they have made a real difference to people’s lives. We are hoping this campaign will get that message over to the people in Oxfordshire who have what it takes to be a carer and who would like to make it their career. ”
One of the “stars” of the adverts, former nurse Merryl Rautenbach said: “I was delighted to be asked to be part of this campaign. I love my job. I enjoy being with people, interacting, and seeing I can make a difference. I like promoting people’s independence. . It is always rewarding.”
Eddy McDowall, Chief Executive of Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers said: “This is a great opportunity for adult social care providers in all settings working with all conditions, to showcase the wide-ranging and rewarding opportunities available for people to have a fulfilling career. We provide a one-stop-shop for people seeking to work in adult social care in the County with advice, information and job-matching. We want to hear from people who want to make a difference to people’s lives.”
Councillor Judith Heathcoat, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for Adult Social Care said: ”This is a very important campaign. With an ageing population and the need to look after increasing numbers of people with complex health and social care needs, it is vital that we have the right number of skilled and motivated staff to provide that care. I also would like to thank all the carers who have given their time and who have agreed to effectively become the faces of this campaign.”
Anyone interested in becoming a carer or who wants to find out more about caring as a career can contact Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers: www.oacp.org.uk/jobsincare, email jobs@oacp.org.uk or call 01491 822604.