Health Minister Robin Swann has launched a new campaign to help boost the adult social care workforce in Northern Ireland. The Social Care – Making a Difference campaign has been developed by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) on behalf of the Department of Health as part of its ongoing work to reform Adult Social Care. The campaign highlights that social care staff are an integral and valued part of the health and social workforce and their work is critical to the sustainable provision of social care services now and in the future.
Speaking ahead of the campaign Health Minister Robin Swann said: “Our social care sector works tirelessly, day and night to provide quality care to the most vulnerable in our society. The pandemic very clearly brought home the absolutely vital role of the sector and it was only through the effort and commitment of social care workers that services were maintained.
“In Northern Ireland we have a skilled and dedicated social care workforce who help transform lives and enable people to live well. However, we can’t ignore the fact that the needs of our population are increasing and we need more skilled social care workers to meet the demand for these important services. Through this new campaign we not only hope to inspire the right people to consider a career in social care, but also help the general public gain a greater appreciation and awareness of the role of social care workers.”
Patricia Higgins, interim CEO at the Northern Ireland Social Care Council highlighted that social care offers a range of opportunities across many programmes of care and settings. She said: “We are immensely proud of our registered social care workforce maintaining high standards of care for people in our communities who need it most. A career in social care provides progression and opportunities to work in a care home, a person’s own home, supported living and day care settings. Social care is a rewarding career and has a powerful and unique role in supporting people to live better lives.”
Currently, almost 44,000 people are registered as social care workers in Northern Ireland, making care workers the largest part of the health and social care workforce.
Chief Social Worker Sean Holland commented: “Through this campaign we want to make sure that everyone knows what an important and valued job social care workers do. We want to inspire those with the right qualities and values to step forward and join the social care workforce. If you are someone that wants to make a difference, then consider a career in social care.”
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