North Lincolnshire Council’s biggest ever care worker recruitment campaign has won a top national award.
Proud to Care North Lincolnshire, which raises the profile of the vital role care workers play in our communities, fought off strong competition from four other councils across the country to win ‘Best innovation in recruitment’ at the Local Government Chronicle’s Workforce Awards in Birmingham.
In a bid to attract more kind and compassionate people to become care workers the council introduced a suite of initiatives, enabling care workers to benefit from funded childcare, electric transport from just £10 a month, discounted gym memberships and more.
On top of this, an agency hub was launched to increase opportunities for flexible working, alongside a fully-funded Introduction to Care course – where people can access in person and e-learning training and shadow care professionals to find out if care work is the right fit for them.
These forward-thinking approaches to recruitment pressures were recognised by the judges.
Gordon McFarlane, President of the Public Services People Managers Association and Assistant Director at Leicestershire County Council, said:
“The judges were highly impressed with this entry – not just innovative, but reducing inequalities, knocking barriers down, and creating solutions, for example the Wheels to Work and funded childcare provision, that will really help people into employment – and to stay in employment.”
Cllr Richard Hannigan, cabinet member for adults and health at North Lincolnshire Council, said:
“This award is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved in the delivery of adult social care across North Lincolnshire who go the extra mile to help residents stay safe, well and connected.
“In the face of national staffing pressures, the council worked closely with care providers and stepped up to deliver creative solutions that would make a positive difference to care worker’s daily lives, removing barriers to employment in the process.
“Parents told us childcare costs made working in care less viable, so we introduced a funded childcare scheme. Others were keen return to the workforce but needed flexible hours to fit around their family – so we developed an agency bank which benefits workers and employers alike.
“Collectively, these initiatives continue to be a huge support to our care workers and help even more people discover the benefits this rewarding career has to offer.”
If you are interested in a career where you can make a huge difference and where no two days are ever the same, find the latest opportunities on the Proud to Care North Lincolnshire website.
For advice on starting or returning to care work, please contact the Proud to Care recruitment team, who will talk you through joining the free Introduction to Care course and answer any questions you may have. Call 01724 844848 or email: recruitment@ongo.uk.
