North East adult social care staff launch campaign to promote working in their rewarding field

The ‘Made With Care North East’ campaign brings together all 12 North East local authorities to deliver a recruitment and retention campaign aimed at encouraging people to work in adult social care.

Current staff from across the North East have shared their stories and will feature on buses, trains and social media in the region, saying why they are proud to work in adult social care and encouraging others to do the same.

And because the campaign is running in partnership with a national advertising campaign (sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care), case studies from the North East will feature across the whole country.

One of the Hartlepool people who will be featuring in the Made With Care North East campaign is Caroline Church, a Care Worker with Hartlepool Borough Council’s Direct Care and Support Team.

Caroline provides short term care support to people in their own homes to help them get back to living independently following discharge from hospital. This can range from helping them with washing and dressing to preparing meals and prompting people to take medication when needed.

She has been a care worker for 24 years, working in care homes prior to taking up her current role in 2020.

“I really love the job and no two days are the same,” says Caroline. “Initially the client may be lacking in confidence and not able to do very much for themselves but over the weeks, with the support and encouragement you provide, you see them become more confident.

“Knowing that you are making a big difference gives you a lot of satisfaction and you go home from a shift with a really nice feeling.” 

The job also suits her family commitments.

“I work five hours a day, which has enabled me to spend more time with my family, including my five grandchildren,” adds Caroline, who praises the training and support she has received.

“I’m really proud to work as a carer and I would certainly encourage other people to give it a go.”

The campaign has been brought to life by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services North East (ADASS) by working with directors of adult social services and other key staff from the 12 local authorities.

Jane Robinson, Chair of ADASS North East, said: “All 12 directors of adult social services are adamant that the successful recruitment and retention of a dedicated and passionate adult social care workforce is key to being able to support older people and adults with learning disabilities to live independently in their homes and to ensure that care homes attract additional staff.

“As our amazing people have told us, working in adult social care is a career like no other. The difference they make to people’s lives on a daily basis is incredible and the rewards they get from that work makes them feel, quite rightly, proud and fulfilled. They are encouraging anyone who is thinking about working in adult social care to give it a go.

“Adult social care is a great area to work in and offers flexibility around hours and shift patterns - which can help many people fit in work around their other commitments - as well as excellent career progression into a number of different areas such as social work, nursing and leadership and management.

“If you are inspired by our stories then please search for ‘care careers’ online.”