MORE care workers are needed by the council’s social care team to look after vulnerable people in their own homes, in care homes and after hospital admissions as the coronavirus crisis continues.

The Town Hall has been advertising for more than 40 health and social care jobs – paying up to £11 an hour – since the crisis hit the UK, and the government has now called for ex-social workers who have recently left the profession to return for the duration of the crisis.

The latest weekly care home death toll published by the ONS on Tuesday (April 14) showed that 237 people died in care homes in England and Wales in the two weeks to 3 April. But this figure has been disputed by some care home companies, who say the number is higher.

Islington’s Health and Social Care chief Janet Burgess said the council needed carers more than ever.

“Care workers make an extraordinary difference to people’s lives when they need it most, she said.

“In this current crisis we need carers more than ever to help ensure that those who need support to live safely, independently and with dignity can continue to do so.

“Care work can be a challenging, but rewarding career. If you or anyone you know is considering becoming a carer, please get in touch.”

A Town Hall spokesman added: “The current pandemic has increased the need for social care workers who support very vulnerable people in their own homes, in care homes and following hospital admission.

“We have been working extremely hard to actively support independent local providers at this crucial time to ensure they have sufficient staff to meet the anticipated need.

“This has included initiating and supporting recruitment campaigns, as well as working to ensure there is adequate PPE available for social care providers.”

Anyone interested in taking up one of the advertised roles can make an enquiry through the council’s iWork team by calling (020) 7527 2706, emailing iwork@islington.gov.uk, or visiting www.proudtocarenorthlondon.org.uk

To help meet the national demand for social workers during the crisis, Social Work England, the specialist regulator for almost 100,000 social workers in England, has reinstated the professional registration of 8,000 former social workers.

The government is now calling on former social workers who have left the profession in the last two years to return to work.

Colum Conway, Chief Executive of Social Work England, said: “This is a huge joint effort with all of our partners to get social workers back into practice and to people who need their support, as fast as possible, without compromising standards or safety. People who need support in our society are more vulnerable than ever right now.”

Children and Families Minister, Vicky Ford called social workers the “unsung heroes of our society”.

She added: “The unprecedented challenges we face are putting a strain on our social care system, and I am proud to see how many social workers have come forward already to play a critical role battling this virus – we owe them all a debt of gratitude.”

Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, said: “The skill, expertise and commitment shown everyday by social workers up and down the country is a vital part of our collective battle against Covid-19. I am incredibly grateful to each and every one of them.

“We are calling on all those who left the profession within the last two years to return and support the most vulnerable during the pandemic.

“I want to give a huge thank you to all those social workers currently providing essential support to people in exceptionally difficult circumstances. It is incredibly humbling to see everybody pulling together to provide outstanding care and support to those that need it.”

LGA Chairman, Cllr James Jamieson, said: “Social workers do a hugely important job supporting families and our most vulnerable. Allowing a fast-track way to temporarily return to practice during this difficult time is a much-needed boost for an already over-stretched social care workforce.

“Councils’ absolute priority is protecting the most vulnerable from this coronavirus, and thousands of additional social workers are critical to achieving this. We look forward to working with Social Work England and other partners to ensure that former social workers re-joining the profession can be placed in councils as soon as possible.”

Social workers who want to check if they have been temporarily added to the register, and those who wish to opt out, can find more information on the dedicated coronavirus section of the Social Work England website.