Northamptonshire social workers will be offered a bonus of £ 600 to thank them for their loyalty, as bosses hope the money could attract more workers to the profession.

The one-time payment is offered to recognize their efforts so far during the pandemic and their continued efforts over the coming winter months.

Money is being put on the table amid a nationwide shortage of healthcare workers, which has deepened during the Covid crisis.

The care industry has blamed factors including a post-Brexit exodus as it launches an urgent recruitment drive.

Meanwhile, calls have risen to raise the wages of social workers to prevent them from resigning for better-paying jobs elsewhere.

The industry also claimed the workforce received a further blow when new rules requiring all nursing home staff to be vaccinated against Covid took effect last month.

The £ 600 bonus comes from the West and North Northamptonshire Councils, which worked with the Managing Director of the Northamptonshire Clinical Commissioning Group to merge funds available for staff.

Bosses hope the additional payment will encourage caregivers to continue and stay in their jobs in CQC-regulated settings through the winter, and for newcomers to join the caregiving profession.

The council and health leaders say the payment recognizes the vital role of caregivers in helping to keep people at home or care for them in nursing homes as well as supporting those who return after a treatment. hospital stay.

Bosses hope the additional payment will encourage caregivers to continue and stay in their jobs in CQC-regulated settings through the winter, and for newcomers to join the caregiving profession.

• More than 12,075 staff are employed by more than 400 independent care and support providers who provide care and support to vulnerable people in community and county residential facilities.

• The funding will cost around £ 7.245million.

The money comes from the West and North Northamptonshire Council’s Combined COVID-19 Outbreak Management Fund, and the Government Social Workforce Retention Fund.

Payment will be made on March 31, 2022 to existing staff and new entrants.

Cllr Jonathan Nunn, Head of West Northamptonshire Council, said: “Right now there is an emerging shortage of home care staff across the county, and we are doing everything in our power to address it. We recognize, and know only too well, that caregivers are overworked, underpaid and exhausted at a time when the demand for adult social care in the county has increased so dramatically.

“We hope that by pooling funds in the health and social services sectors and by paying a loyalty bonus to nursing staff this winter, we are showing that all the partners appreciate the dedication they have shown in s ‘occupying vulnerable people in Northamptonshire. We also hope that the offer will help attract new employees to the profession.

Cllr Jason Smithers, leader of the North Northamptonshire Council, said: “The care sector is doing a remarkable job of caring for our most vulnerable, but the past two years, with growing demand and the challenges of the pandemic, have shown that they are absolutely invaluable to our communities.

Northamptonshire Clinical Commissioning Group Managing Director Toby Sanders said: “This one-time bonus program is designed to urgently help retain and recruit dedicated care staff through the many challenges of the winter ahead. “

“We hope this will to some extent show the NHS ‘appreciation for the work of caregivers and ensure the delivery of high quality care to residents and reduce pressure on other parts of our health and social care system. “