Projects in place | Provider Hub

What we are doing

The social care sector needs significant long-term investment and support to recognise and value the care workforce, as highlighted through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Essex County Council has been taking positive actions across Essex developing initiatives to recruit and retain staff, promotion of the care sector as a valued place to develop a career in, and encouraging groups of young people that are underrepresented in the care workforce.

It comes as no surprise that employers who offer long-term skills development and professional training say the primary benefits are better skilled workers, better engagement and better retention. We have developed a set of free and funded training programmes such as apprenticeships, degree programmes, mentoring and online coaching and webinars sessions.

Burnout and staff wellbeing are significant issues facing the workforce following the COVID-19 pandemic. To support and look after carers we have developed resources and promoted wellbeing support to help providers and their staff.

Supporting local & international recruitment

International Recruitment - working with regional partners to support overseas recruitment
ECC Recruitment Service
Weekly recruitment tips
Ambassador programme (launch TBC 2025)
Tendring Workforce Academy (SNEE)
Essex Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Service

Previous support

Care Friends Referral App (12 months to 31 March 2023)
Funding Blue Light Cards for staff reward (12 months to 31 March 2024)
Care Market Recruitment Campaign ‘Your Career Matters’ – Social Media, PR, a Provider Toolkit & Radio Ads (ended 31 October 2024)

Care workers feel recognised, appreciated & looked after

Employee Assistance Programme - employee benefits and support, including GP appointments, counselling & retail discounts
Essex Care Worker Charter: Conditions of Employment – work underway
Essex Wellbeing Service
Self-care and recovery and end-of-life care emotional support sessions for care staff (see Quality Innovation team pages)

Access to training and development opportunities

We will work towards every care contract incorporating the following mandatory requirements of our providers:

To have a robust workforce plan / strategy
To have a robust wellbeing strategy for their staff
To upload workforce information to the Skills for Care ASCWDS dataset
To receive the Essex County Council Provider Bulletin

Detailed plan in the appendix

Launch TBC

The centre, which will be the first of its kind to be launched by a local authority, will shine a light on the adult social care sector in Essex. Through the centre we aim to show how much we value and recognise our care workforce and the valuable contribution it provides.

We are committed to providing the best possible care for those who need it, when they need it the most. The launch of our Centre of Excellence is another step in making this a reality.

The key aims of the centre are:

Recruitment of new staff
Improving and increasing technology within the sector
Care worker charter
Training opportunities for new and existing staff

Last updated: 31/10/2024

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