I read a report recently that highlighted staffing as care home’s biggest challenge in terms of both cost and recruitment.
Property advisors Knight Frank produced the report, ‘Care homes trading review 2019’, found the problems of attracting qualified carers at competitive rates has led to many homes becoming reliant on agency staff, often at extra expense.
It also found that average staff costs have risen by 50% in the last decade.
Julian Evans, Head of Healthcare at Knight Frank, was quoted on the carehome.co website as saying “Demand for elderly care beds remains robust in the UK; however staffing continues to be the main issue of concern in the industry.
Many providers continue to be affected by the social care funding crisis, especially those daring incomes from budget restrained local authorities.”
I am extremely proud of our team of 17 carers here at Sydenham House, some of whom have been with us for twenty years or more. No problem with retention there then!
Our experienced staff have completed Qualification & Credit Framework (QCFs) awards in Health & Social Care and all staff have completed a minimum of Level Two awards in Dementia Care, as well as undertaking ongoing training including food hygiene and infection control.