Collaboration secures workers for home care sector

An industry partnership aiming to plug the home care workforce gap has so far enabled more than 175 workers to enter the sector.

Tasked with delivering the government-funded Home Care Workforce Support Program in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, community-based, not-for-profit organisation Settlement Services International teamed with national support worker platform Hireup in May to create the Home Care Staffing Support initiative.

Sonia Vignjevic – SSI’s general manager of client partnerships and business growth – is pleased with the initiative’s results to date.

“The aim of the HCWSP first and foremost is to find new solutions that help deliver Australian seniors the care they deserve,” she said. “At SSI, we work closely with people seeking employment and training pathways and understand the complexities faced in regional and remote areas regarding career opportunities.”

A total of 50 home care providers have signed up to the Home Care Staffing Support initiative, including Focus Care Australia. “The HCSS has given us optimism that we can overcome the sector’s workforce shortages, successfully connecting us to skilled workers who are values-aligned with our organisation, enabling us to continue providing the highest level of support to seniors who trust us and depend on us,” said Focus Care service operations manager Maria Paul.

Stephanie Moran – Hireup general manager – expects the alliance with SSI to create more job opportunities in the home care sector in the near future.

“Our hope is that over the next six months the partnership will support a greater number of aged care providers with their workforce challenges, while also introducing and upskilling more workers to pursue careers in aged care.”

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