CYP Now - Improve public image and pay to solve children’s home staffing crisis, say providers

Increased salaries for children’s home staff and improved public perceptions of residential care are necessary to prevent a recruitment crisis in the sector, providers have said.

Children's home staff are often undervalued, providers have warned. Picture: Adobe Stock

In response to a warning from the Independent Children's Homes Association (ICHA) that homes are “struggling to recruit staff”, Kevin Gallagher, managing director of Amberleigh Care, said: “The frontline staff are doing highly skilled work – it needs to be valued.”

Amberleigh provides specialist care and education to adolescent boys with harmful sexual behaviours across two 12-placement settings.

Writing on LinkedIn, Gallagher revealed that the organisation’s care staff are set to receive a seven to 10 per cent salary increase from 1 October while other staff will receive a two per cent rise next year.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included