Region’s ‘care at home’ model

Perth and Kinross is adopting a “more sustainable and flexible” care at home model.

Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) also wants to attract more recruits into a career in care.

The proposals were approved by the Perth and Kinross Integration Joint Board.

The new approach aims to enable people to live as independently as they can at home for as long as possible.

Zoe Robertson – the interim head of adult social work/social care and service manager for commissioning and policy with Perth and Kinross HSCP – told the board there had been an “increase in complexity of need in care at home” and “increasing ageing demographic”.

The new approach was developed in response to the Covid pandemic and its increased pressure on social care services.

Jacquie Pepper, interim chief officer for the Perth and Kinross HSCP, described the new model as “more sustainable and flexible”.

It will see decision-making move closer to the frontline, with a new “communityfocused wellbeing team”.

And there will be a social media campaign to push “positive messages” about the benefits of social care.

A number of steps will be taken to improve rec ruitment and the retention of employees. And the minimum hourly rate for social care workers will be raised through Scottish Government funding.

The meeting was also told a young social care workforce will be developed through work placements, apprenticeships and a get into care academy to deliver training. In addition, there will also be a more flexible approach to support the wellbeing of both service users and care staff.

Perth and Kinross HSCP currently has a range of roles and flexible hours and working patterns available.

IJB chair Bob Benson said: “I have been immensely impressed at the tremendous contribution of our social care workers across the partnership who have provided a lifeline to very many people since the pandemic struck two years ago. I am pleased to introduce this exciting new model as it takes account of the tough experiences over the pandemic.”

Anyone interested in a career in social care is encouraged to email CareAtHome@pkc.gov.uk