HEALTH

'Social care needs you', retired care workers told

Council chiefs urge retired care workers to return to work in order to boost an over-stretched social care workforce in the face of the ongoing pandemic.

Local authority leaders have urged the Government to consider asking retired care workers to return to work in order to boost an already over-stretched social care workforce in the face of the ongoing pandemic.

The Government has introduced measures for doctors and nurses to come back to the NHS and for social workers to return to social care. The Local Government Association (LGA) believes a similar approach should be taken to care work.

Retired care workers, who are experienced and would not need much training, would help support people discharged from hospital. This would free up beds for those being treated for coronavirus.

It would also enable councils to better support the 1.5 million vulnerable people identified by the Government as most at risk from coronavirus and needing to stay at home for 12 weeks.

‘The coronavirus outbreak will severely test and stretch our social care workforce, who already do a tremendous job in the face of extreme pressures,' said Cllr Ian Hudspeth, chairman of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board.

‘But supporting retired care workers to return to work could be a significant booster measure for the sector, to get through the highly challenging weeks and months ahead.'

The LGA recommends that retired workers looking to return could be asked to contact the employer they retired from. The sector could also set up regional contact groups to ensure retirees are placed where they are most needed.

Care England, the body representing independent care providers, has made a similar recommendation.

In an open letter to the public, Care England chief executive Martin Green called on retired care professionals to return to work ‘to engage in this national effort to keep social care operational.'

He also encouraged those who are currently not working because of Covid-19 - particularly those in catering, hospitality or air travel - to support the adult social care sector.

‘Last week in response to the COVID19 outbreak the Government called upon retired nurses and doctors to return to work with the line "your NHS needs you",' Mr Green wrote.

‘Care England, the largest representative body for independent providers of adult social care, is complementing this message, "social care needs you too".'

HEALTH

WLGA defends councils over Covid funds

By Martin Ford | 10 July 2025

The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) has defended the role of councils in distributing social care funding during the Covid pandemic.

HEALTH

LGA calls for EHCP scale back amid potential backlash

By Emily Twinch | 10 July 2025

Local authorities have called for the scaling back of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) despite a backlash as the Government looks to reform the regime.

HEALTH

Call for Government to fix 'broken' children's social care

By Ann McGauran | 10 July 2025

Urgent action is needed to fix a ‘broken’ children’s social care system and give all young people the future they deserve, the chair of the Commons Education...

HEALTH

Under pressure: The strain of snap elections

By Peter Stanyon | 09 July 2025

Peter Stanyon says election teams must have the legislation, systems and funding in place if they are to keep on delivering the safe, secure and accurate Gen...

Popular articles by William Eichler