Our Sectors
The Stephen James Consulting team has a wealth of in-depth experience within each of our specialist disciplines, meaning we’re best placed to help you attract the right talent for your organisation or secure your next exciting career move.
To ensure we always provide an outstanding service, we have secured employees who possess real experience, knowledge and a genuine passion for each of our specialist areas.
Select one of our Health and Social Care recruitment disciplines to find out more.
Got a question?
If you require more information about what we can do for your organisation or career, contact the friendly Stephen James Consulting team today.
latest jobs
Area Manager
East Midlands
Stephen James Consulting are supporting one of their key clients in the recruitment of an Interim Area Manager, this 6 Month (FTC) role will be covering a group of care homes based in the North West and Midlands region. The Area Manager will be responsible for a portfolio of 9 Care Homes, (Elderly Residential and Nursing care) The Role: You will lead, develop and motivate managers, including supporting their individual and professional development, providing regular performance feedback and conducting appraisals. Maintain regular contact and effective relationships with all Managers by carrying out regular visits and holding group meetings. To agree with local managers annual business and financial plans for approval by the Group Director. Review monthly management accounts, initiating action plans with local managers based on improving financial performance. Responsible for the negotiation of contracts and fees with Local Authorities and PCT’s for new and existing services. Accountable for the negotiation of contracts and fees with Local Authorities and PCT’s for new and existing services. The ideal candidate will ideally have worked previously as an Area / Regional Care Manager and should meet all the essential criteria below before making an application to this vacancy. A Minimum of three years’ experience of multi-site management, within care homes, including coaching, performance management daily operations and supervision. Excellent knowledge of managing a Nursing, Residential and Dementia services Problem solving skills to quickly identify problems and find the best resolution Sound demonstrable evidence of clinical governance, UK regulations and Care legislation. Experience of managing financial plans/budgets and business planning Excellent communication skills and a positive and engaging influencing style Our client, a not for profit, organization have been providing quality care for over 70 years, in addition they benefit from having an excellent reputation for providing a range of specialist quality personal care for the elderly. This role is offering a competitive Salary and Benefits Package which depending on candidate experience - £58,000 - £65,000 per year + £6,000 company car allowance If you are interested in applying for this role of Interim Area / Regional Care Manager, please click apply now below:
SALARY: £65,000 + £6,000 Car Allowance
POSTED: Jan 16 2019
General Manager - Care
Salisbury
Stephen James Consulting are looking for an extremely commercial General Manager, based in Wiltshire. This pivotal role of General Manager will oversee a 100 + bedded purpose built residential care home, the General Manger will have two registered managers directly reporting into them, in order for the GM to take full accountability for this multimillion business, his modern-day care center offers compassionate, person centered care in an environment that has been thoughtfully designed with residents comfort and well-being in mind. You will be responsible for: As the General Manager you will be a role model in everything you do and represent the home professionally with a wide range of stakeholders and external contacts. You will utilize your strong commercial acumen and marketing skills to proactively promote the home in the local community, ensuring the high reputation of the home is communicated to potential residents and referrers. Providing robust leadership to a team who care passionately about the residents in their care. You will do this by inspiring a culture of continuous improvement and strong two-way communication to ensure that residents’ care and social needs are met in a person-centered way. Working with the senior team to support growth of the business and lead the team to achieve maximum performance against commercial and financial goals. You must also ensure the home meets all regulatory and statutory requirements including CQC, health and safety and COSHH, in compliance with the appropriate Acts. To be qualified for this role of General Manager you will need the following experience: You'll have a strong background in senior level management in the elderly care sector and knowledge of the 'high-end' portion of the elderly care sector would be a distinct advantage. A dynamic, confident and innovative leader with strong commercial and networking skills, and the ability to manage a large team with an open, approachable personality Educated to degree level with a health or management related qualification Along with excellent budgeting and financial awareness, you will monitor care and quality and be passionate about maintaining the highest quality of services and standards Our client, a ‘not for profit provider’ delivers care across 81 care homes, has an excellent reputation for providing a range of specialist quality care for the elderly. If you are interested in applying for this role of General Manager, please click apply now below:
SALARY: £70,000
POSTED: Jan 11 2019
Registered Home Manager
Croydon
Stephen James Consulting are proud to be working with one of their key clients, in recruiting for a Registered Home Manager for a 50 bedded residential, dementia home based in Croydon, South London. You will be responsible for: To manage, develop and evaluate all aspects of service provision in the home, within policy guidelines ensure that all relevant legislation, organisational Policies and Procedures and codes of practice are adhered to. To be responsible for the management and supervision of staff to enable them to maximise their potential, through leadership, coaching, example, support and guidance. Establish and maintain in the home the atmosphere and practice of care based on the values of the provider, deriving from a concern for the individual and mutual respect between residents and staff. To be considered for this role of Registered Home Manager you will need the following experience: The successful candidates will ideally have at least 3 years’ experience in a managerial or leadership role within residential, dementia care home. Hold Level 4 as a minimum or LMC Level 4 Award Interview Leadership. Have an excellent understanding of the needs of older people and those affected by Dementia, with a desire for delivering exceptional care standards. Able to demonstrate a working knowledge of care homes and CQC, be highly organised, smartly presented, a good people manager and passionate about delivering high quality, person centred care. Strong experience of managing financial budgets. Our client, a charity-based organization have been providing quality care for over 60 years, in addition benefiting from an excellent reputation for providing a range of specialist quality personal care for the elderly. The role of Registered Home Manager is offering £45,000 - £48,000 + £8,000 bonus with an excellent benefits package, salary range is dependent on candidate experience. If you are interested in applying for this role of Registered Home Manager, please click apply now below. Stephen James Consulting are operating as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent opportunity; we offer a £250 referral voucher for each successful recommendation.
SALARY: £48,000 + £8,000 Bonus
POSTED: Jan 11 2019
Assistant Operations Director
Wiltshire
Stephen James Consulting are proud to be representing a national elderly care home provider in their search for an Assistant Operations Director, this well-regarded charitable provider was formalised over 40 years ago. This pivotal role will be covering a large portfolio of care homes covering South West England. As the Assistant Director you will accountable for the overall operations and strategic development for the portfolio of care homes. Working as part of the key senior leadership team, you will lead the operations team through effective transparent leadership of the operational functions, and through professional input at a senior management level, ensuring the highest possible outcomes for the residents at all times. Acting as the key advocate for regional stakeholders including Care Quality Commission (CQC) Local Authorities, Primary Care Trusts (PCT’s) residents and their relatives, on all day to day matters. Leading the operations team through them, the service managers, providing a network of services which can respond flexibly to the needs of the residents. To be considered for the role of Assistant Operations Director: You will need to demonstrate the following experience: Further Management Qualification / Degree in social care Hold a successful track of significant multi-site / operational management experience within social care for older people or via working at a senior level within a supporting function (e.g. Finance, Development, HR) Have a general aptitude to identify root cause of issues and remain focused on the resolution at all times. Must be able to evidence clear commercial acumen in previous roles. Having an approachable and supportive management style, along with holding a genuine desire to contribute to the progression of your colleagues. Experienced in managing large budgets along with having qualitative responsibility for social care services. Can evidence of bringing clear improvements in service delivery. Must be resilient and have absolute desire to maintain and improve the care delivery in accordance with the providers culture. If you are interested in applying for this role of Assistant Operations Director, please click apply now below. Stephen James Consulting are operating as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent opportunity; we offer a £250 referral voucher for each successful recommendation.
SALARY: £90,000 + £6,000 Car Allowance
POSTED: Jan 11 2019
Area Support Manager (Maternity Leave)
South East London
Stephen James Consulting are recruiting for a Area Support Manager, to cover (Maternity Leave) covering homes across the South East, this key role will be reporting into the Regional Manager, you will be responsible for: To carry out specific operational or quality projects within a Home or across the area as directed by the Senior Management team, You will be providing strong, professional leadership in residential / nursing homes, ensuring the efficient and economical use of pre-agreed resource level. Providing advice and mentorship to Home Managers and senior staff teams in a home to assist them to achieve the highest standards of care and quality. Undertaking operational and quality project work, either in relation to a specific Home or Homes within the area: i.e. management reviews, audit or investigations, team building, mentoring and training. To be considered for this role of Support Manager: you will need the following experience: You will be an expert in Home Manager – Managing residential or nursing care homes. Ability to maintain all aspects of confidentiality and the ability to align with all legislative requirements to the residents and staff. You will need to evidence excellent time management skills. Deep understanding around clinical issues and audits. Experienced within Quality Assurance Management within a nursing & residential environment. Our client is an award-winning organization, providing excellent care support for older people. The role of Support Manager is offering £45,000 - £50,000 + Car Allowance, salary range is dependent on candidate experience. This is an excellent opportunity for Home Managers looking for the next step in their career, If you are passionate about applying for this role of Support Manager, please click apply now below: Stephen James Consulting are operating as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent opportunity; we offer a £250 referral voucher for each successful recommendation.
SALARY: £55,000 + £6,000 Car Allowance
POSTED: Jan 04 2019
Area Support Manager
Greater Manchester
Stephen James Consulting are excited to be recruiting for an Area Support Manager, covering 8 care homes across the North West / Yorkshire you will be responsible for: To carry out specific operational or quality projects within a Home or across the area as directed by the Area Manager or Regional Director. To provide strong, professional leadership in the Homes and to ensure the efficient and economical use of pre-agreed resource level. Providing advice and support to Home Managers and senior staff in a Home to assist them to achieve the highest standards of care and quality. Undertaking operational and quality project work, either in relation to a specific Home or Homes within the area: i.e. management reviews, audit or investigations, team building, mentoring and training. To be considered for this role of Area Support Manager you will need the following experience: Experienced within Home management – Managing residential or nursing services. Ability to maintain all aspects of confidentiality and the ability to comply with all legislative requirements in relation to service users and staff. Evidence excellent time management skills. Strong understanding around clinical issues / audits. Experience of Quality Assurance Management within nursing & residential home. Our client is an award-winning ‘not for profit’ organization, providing accommodation and support services for older people throughout the U.K. This is an excellent opportunity for Home Managers looking for the next step in their career If you are interested in applying for this role of Area Support Manager, please click apply now
SALARY: 50,000 + 6,000 Car Allowance
POSTED: Dec 13 2018
Nursing Home Manager
Nottinghamshire
Stephen James Consulting are recruiting a Nursing Home Manager based in Nottingham, East Midlands. The Nursing Home Manager will be joining a medium sized Nursing Home for older people generally with dementia. This Nursing Home has been purpose-built for an excellent standard of living with versatile nursing needs. You’ll be responsible for: Deliver effective operational leadership, within the home, driving the strategic leadership and direction of the home. Maintaining quality standards and ensuring health and safety compliance Liaising with, and maintaining partnerships with, other local community organisations Ensuring any regulatory activity such as personal care and administering medicines, is delivered within regulations To be considered for this role of Nursing Home Manager you will need the following experience: Preferably hold a current registered PIN with the NMC (RGN) PIN not essential, but you must have recent experience of managing nursing homes. Relevant management qualification - NVQ level 4, LMC or RMA. Have a minimum of 3 years' experience of managing nursing/ dementia care homes. Can demonstrate excellent leadership and effective communication skills. Able to demonstrate effective marketing skills. To be an active and encouraging manager, establish and maintain effective means of communication and good relationships with residents, relatives, employees in the home. Excellent knowledge of current standards within CQC & the Care Act Our client has a strong reputation in the care industry, striving to provide the very best standards of care provide quality care primarily for the elderly. Committed to training and development is paramount as they continue to deliver outstanding standards of care. The role of Nursing Home Manager is paying between £45,000 - £50,000 DOE If you are interested in applying for this role of Nursing Home Manager , please click apply now below:
SALARY: 50,000
POSTED: Dec 12 2018
Registered Home Manager
Leicestershire
Stephen James Consulting are proud to be working with one of their key clients, in recruiting for a Registered Home Manager for a large residential, dementia home based in Leicester: You will be responsible for: To manage, develop and evaluate all aspects of service provision in the home, within policy guidelines ensure that all relevant legislation, organisational Policies and Procedures and codes of practice are adhered to. To be responsible for the management and supervision of staff to enable them to maximise their potential, through leadership, coaching, example, support and guidance. Establish and maintain in the home the atmosphere and practice of care based on the values of the provider, deriving from a concern for the individual and mutual respect between residents and staff. To be considered for this role of Registered Home Manager you will need the following experience: The successful candidates will ideally have at least 3 years’ experience in a managerial or leadership role within residential, dementia care home. Hold Level 4 as a minimum or LMC Level 4 Award Interview Leadership. Have an excellent understanding of the needs of older people and those affected by Dementia, with a desire for delivering exceptional care standards. Able to demonstrate a working knowledge of care homes and CQC, be highly organised, smartly presented, a good people manager and passionate about delivering high quality, person centred care. Strong experience of managing financial budgets. Our client, has been providing quality care for 50 years, in addition benefiting from an excellent reputation for providing a range of specialist quality personal care for the elderly. The role of Registered Home Manager is offering £50,000 - £53,000 with an excellent benefits package, salary range is dependent on candidate experience. If you are interested in applying for this role of Registered Home Manager, please click apply now below. Stephen James Consulting are operating as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent opportunity; we offer a £250 referral voucher for each successful recommendation.
SALARY: £50,000
POSTED: Dec 05 2018
Peripatetic / Support Manager
West Sussex
Stephen James Consulting are recruiting for a Peripatetic / Support Manager for one of their key clients, based in West Sussex, the newly created Support Managers role will be fundamental part of the Nursing and Care Services team. You will be responsible for: The Peripatetic / Support Manager will help run the home in the absence of Home Managers, and able to provide support and assistance to Home Managers as and when required by the Senior Management team. The post holder will oversee the highest quality of care and prepare monthly reports collected for the senior management team. In addition, the Peripatetic / Support Manager will liaise with residents, relatives, friends, GP, community nurses, specialist, pharmacists and foster effective links with local authorities, local councils, voluntary bodies and any other associations related to the care for residents. In this pivotal role of Peripatetic Support Manager, you will guide, support and direct home managers to ensure that the home and its staff are providing the highest level of nursing and residential care standards. To be shortlisted for this key role of Peripatetic / Support Manager you will need the following experience: Recognised professional qualification within the care sector You will be able to demonstrate previous Home Management, Support or Peripatetic experience within a Care Home setting. Ability to quickly identify problems and develop action plans for their remedy. Evidence in leading and coaching complex staff teams and has the ability motivate and delegate effectively. Knowledge and understanding of social care and health issues and their association with external agencies & stakeholders (e.g. CCG) This role is offering a competitive Salary package which depending on your experience, sits around the £40,000 - £45,000 per year. If you are interested in applying for this role of Peripatetic / Support Manager, please click apply now below. This is an excellent opportunity for a well-established registered home manager looking for the next step in their career. Stephen James Consulting are operating as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent opportunity; we offer a £250 referral voucher for each successful recommendation.
SALARY: £45000 + Travel Expenses
POSTED: Nov 29 2018
Area Manager 6-Month FTC
Greater Manchester
Stephen James Consulting are supporting one of their key clients in the recruitment for an Area Manager, this is a 6-Month FTC - to be based in the North West of England. This Area Manager will be responsible for a portfolio of 9 Care Homes, (Elderly Residential and Nursing care) You will lead, develop and motivate managers, including supporting their individual and professional development, providing regular performance feedback and conducting appraisals. Maintain regular contact and effective relationships with all Managers by carrying out regular visits and holding group meetings. To agree with local managers annual business and financial plans for approval by the Group Director. Review monthly management accounts, initiating action plans with local managers based on improving financial performance. Responsible for the negotiation of contracts and fees with Local Authorities and PCT’s for new and existing services. Accountable for the negotiation of contracts and fees with Local Authorities and PCT’s for new and existing services. The ideal candidate will ideally have worked previously as a Area / Regional Care Manager and should meet all the essential criteria below before making an application to this vacancy. A Minimum of three years’ experience of multi-site management, within care homes, including coaching, performance management daily operations and supervision. Excellent knowledge of managing a Nursing, Residential and Dementia services Problem solving skills to quickly identify problems and find the best resolution Sound demonstrable evidence of clinical governance, UK regulations and Care legislation. Experience of managing financial plans/budgets and business planning Excellent communication skills and a positive and engaging influencing style Our client, a not for profit, organization have been providing quality care for over 60 years, in addition they benefit from having an excellent reputation for providing a range of specialist quality personal care for the elderly. This role is offering a competitive Salary and Benefits Package which depending on candidate experience - £58,000 - £65,000 per year plus either a company car allowance £6,000 + bonus. If you are interested in applying for this role of Area / Regional Care Manager, please click apply now below:
SALARY: 65000 + £6k Car Allowance
POSTED: Nov 29 2018
Peripatetic / Support Manager
East Sussex
Stephen James Consulting are recruiting for a Peripatetic / Support Manager for one of their key clients, based in East Sussex, the newly created Support Managers role will be fundamental part of the Nursing and Care Services team. You will be responsible for: The Peripatetic / Support Manager will help run the home in the absence of Home Managers, and able to provide support and assistance to Home Managers as and when required by the Senior Management team. The post holder will oversee the highest quality of care and prepare monthly reports collected for the senior management team. In addition, the Peripatetic / Support Manager will liaise with residents, relatives, friends, GP, community nurses, specialist, pharmacists and foster effective links with local authorities, local councils, voluntary bodies and any other associations related to the care for residents. In this pivotal role of Peripatetic Support Manager, you will guide, support and direct home managers to ensure that the home and its staff are providing the highest level of nursing and residential care standards. To be shortlisted for this key role of Peripatetic / Support Manager you will need the following experience: Recognised professional qualification within the care sector You will be able to demonstrate previous Home Management, Support or Peripatetic experience within a Care Home setting. Ability to quickly identify problems and develop action plans for their remedy. Evidence in leading and coaching complex staff teams and has the ability motivate and delegate effectively. Knowledge and understanding of social care and health issues and their association with external agencies & stakeholders (e.g. CCG) This role is offering a competitive Salary package which depending on your experience, sits around the £40,000 - £45,000 per year. If you are interested in applying for this role of Peripatetic / Support Manager, please click apply now below. This is an excellent opportunity for a well-established registered home manager looking for the next step in their career. Stephen James Consulting are operating as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent opportunity; we offer a £250 referral voucher for each successful recommendation.
SALARY: 45000
POSTED: Nov 29 2018
Regional Director
East Midlands
Regional Director required for a leading elderly care provider, accountable for 12 care homes covering the East Midlands of England. This well-regarded care provider has been running and managing care homes for over a decade, this newly created role will be responsible for: Develop key stakeholder relationships – seek opportunities to strengthen professional relationships with business-critical individuals and groups. Directly accountable with regional and home managers for the delivery at each Care Centre of a service which provides safe care for service users and meets minimum standards required by the Social Care Regulators. Take accountability for the area – driving compliance with all company policies and regulatory requirements; whilst striving to achieve the best possible care ratings and other external recognition of quality. Enhance the profitability of the business – sets business plans and manages performance against these. Ensures revenues are generated and costs are controlled. Achieve budget and KPI targets relating to individual homes and companywide objectives The ideal candidate will ideally have worked previously as a Regional Care Manager and should meet all of the essential criteria below before making an application to this post. To be considered for the Regional Director you will need the following experience: A Minimum of four years’ experience of multi-site management within elderly nursing care, including coaching, performance management daily operations and supervision Previous experience of the recruitment process and retention of staff Sound demonstrable evidence of clinical governance, UK regulations and Care legislation. Proven experience driving forward business performance, around quality and staff retention. Proven experience of budget management Excellent communication skills and a positive and engaging influencing style The role of Regional Operations Manager is offering a competitive Salary and Benefits Package which depending on your experience, which sits around the £65,000 - £70,000 + Car Allowance + Travel + Bonus If you are interested in applying for this role of Regional Director, please click apply now below. Stephen James Consulting are operating as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent opportunity; we offer a £250 referral voucher for each successful recommendation.
SALARY: 70000 + Car Allowance
POSTED: Nov 29 2018
About Stephen James Consulting
Stephen James Consulting are a specialist boutique Health and Social Care consultancy, with in depth experience recruiting exclusively within the Health and Social Care Sector, providing bespoke services for permanent and contract positions the throughout the UK.
We are dedicated in providing exceptional service delivery to both client and candidate, our market knowledge means we can guide you through all the steps of recruitment process, whether you are a provider with current recruitment assignments or a professional looking for your next career move,
We look forward to hearing from you.
testimonials
latest blogs
-
Four Seasons Healthcare has voluntarily suspension
Four Seasons Healthcare has voluntarily suspended new admissions at its Hilltop Manor care home in Stoke on Trent while it tackles issues raised by a CQC inspection. The inspection of the home in October, which rated the service ‘requires improvement’, spotlighted issues with the service’s oversight and management, medicines management, staff training and deployment and incident reporting. A Four Seasons spokesperson said: “We regret that Hilltop Manor had fallen below the standards that we expect all of our homes to provide. We recognised this and in the months immediately before the inspection we had appointed a new Home Manager and a new regional management team who had begun to make improvements.” https://www.carehomeprofessional.com/four-seasons-suspends-new-admissions-home-following-critical-cqc-report/
read more
-
Care homes with dementia 'carer champions' reduce agitation and antipsychotics
Care homes using dementia ‘carer champions’ to deliver person-centred care lessen agitation in people with dementia and reduce their usage of antipsychotic drugs. Sixty-nine care homes took part in the Wellbeing and Health for people with Dementia (WHELD) training programme. The outcomes on health and social care costs, agitation and quality of life were analysed by a team jointly led by the University of Exeter, King’s College London and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. They said previous research found the average care home resident engages in just two minutes of social interaction in a six hour period. They found WHELD increased this to ten minutes of activity, focussed around the interests of the resident, involving them in decisions that affected them. The programme also included GP training to reduce prescribing antipsychotics, known to significantly increase the risk of stroke and death in people with dementia. The researchers found the programme saved thousands of pounds a year due to a reduction in emergency and routine hospital admissions. A drop in residents’ level of agitation also lessened their contact with GPs which saved further costs. Senior author, Clive Ballard, Professor of Age-Related Diseases at the University of Exeter Medical School, said: “People with dementia living in care homes are among the most vulnerable in our society. “We now know we have a programme that provides huge value in improving their quality of life and reducing agitation – and now crucially, we know this saves money. Our research has previously shown that only four of 170 carer training manuals available on the market were based on evidence that they work. We must roll this out to benefit those in need.” The study looked at 549 residents with clinically significant agitation in dementia. Once the cost of delivering WHELD was taken into account, there was a saving of up to £2,000 per care home. Renee Romeo, co-author and senior lecturer in Health Economics at King’s College London, said: “As a person’s dementia progresses they will need more intensive care and support and often residential care is seen as the best option by those who care for them. Our research can assist commissioning decisions around care and treatment options in these settings. By providing the evidence, that effective and affordable care responses following consultation around individual preferences do exist. The failure to recognise and introduce such interventions in not only ethically questionable but very costly.” The research was funded by the National Institute for Health Research. Alzheimer’s Society policy director Sally Copley added: “As 70 per cent of people in care homes have dementia, it is essential that staff working there have the right training to provide good quality dementia care. “With many care homes on the brink of collapse and the NHS under pressure, cost-efficient initiatives like WHELD could make all the difference. “But specialist training costs money, so without Government investment in social care to allow innovative solutions like WHELD to be put in practice, it won’t be possible to provide this for everyone who needs it. I urge Matt Hancock to take bold steps in the forthcoming Green Paper and commit to the sustainable social care funding that people with dementia have already waited too long for.” The paper, entitled ‘Improving the quality of life of care home residents with dementia: Cost effectiveness of an optimised intervention for residents with clinically significant agitation in dementia’ was published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association. Authors are Renee Romeo, Darshan Zala, Martin Knapp, Martin Orrell, Jane Fossey, and Clive Ballard. Source: https://www.carehome.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1602395/care-homes-dementia-carer-champions-agitation
read more
-
Could our intergenerational conflict be solved by students living with the elderly?
Society is more divided by age today than any other time in history, but is this fuelled by Brexit of the widening generation gulf? A Dutch experiment integrating university students in an elderly care home could be the solution, says David Barnett. As I wrote this, two events of wildly differing importance yet which share a connection were occurring. The first was that Brexit ministers were beginning to fall like dominoes, beginning with Dominic Raab and continuing on an almost hourly basis throughout the morning. The second – which, admittedly, was on a much more personal level – is that my latest novel has been officially published. One necessarily swamped the other, of course, in terms of relevance to the population at large. But the two things are inextricably linked, in that my latest book – The Growing Pains of Jennifer Ebert – is essentially about Brexit, and more specifically the generational divide the EU referendum brought into sharp relief. According to the statistics and market research organisation Statista, 66 per cent of women and 62 per cent of men aged over 65 voted to leave, while in the 18-24 age group, 61 per cent of males and a whopping 80 per cent of women voted to remain in the EU. The novel isn’t about Brexit, of course; that would be boring. But it does tease out this inter-generational conflict that Brexit has thrown up, and it does so through the lens of a real-life attempt to solve this conundrum which is running in the Netherlands. Towards the end of 2016 I became aware of a project running in Holland where a nursing home had invited university students to move in with the elderly residents. It was one of those stories that chimed with me, and which I filed away as possible fodder for a new book. I had just finished my novel Calling Major Tom, which also sprung from a real news story – that of the British astronaut Tim Peake calling a wrong number from the International Space Station at Christmas 2015 and ending up talking to a Derbyshire grandmother instead of his own family. On the basis that truth is often stranger than fiction, I decided to once again use a news nugget as the basis for a book, employing the basic story of university students living with rest home residents as the fulcrum for the novel which eventually became, when published this week, The Growing Pains of Jennifer Ebert. Just like Calling Major Tom wasn’t at all about the Tim Peake story, Growing Pains isn’t really about the real-life project in the Netherlands. Those things are merely the catalysts for the stories I wanted to tell. The nursing home news story was one of those tales that gained a little traction in December two years ago, when hard news is often light and uplifting features are the order of the day, and then it dropped off the agenda just as quickly. The care home in question is the Humanitas Deventer home in the Overijssel region of the Netherlands. It began its project in 2012, inviting six students to live in accommodation on the premises. Setting out her ethos in a piece she wrote for Care Talk magazine, Humanitas CEO Gea Sijpkes explained, “As in most countries, students in Holland have to borrow money for studying and living. At Humanitas Deventer we offer rent-free living in return for just 30 hours of meaningful contact time spent with the elderly residents each month. Our goal is to make Humanitas Deventer the warmest and nicest place to live for the elderly.” According to the Humanitas website, “One student hosts the evening meal in our restaurant every day of the week, but this is just an example of the great things they do for our residents. Their vibrant lives really colour the daily living of the elderly. Apart from neighbours, the students and residents became very good friends, with a deep and meaningful relationship that gives both sides a great deal of positivity and support.” And in case you were wondering whether students would find the usual university of life lacking, with lights out at ten, then fear not: “They decide at what time they come home at night. But there is one important rule: the residents may not be disturbed.” Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/care-homes-students-living-elderly-young-old-age-gap-generation-netherlands-a8635371.html
read more
-
Care England chief says creativity can turn 'the mundane into inspirational care
Launched at Care England’s annual conference ‘Logging on’ in London on 14 November, the programme features Martin Green talking to newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky, about how creative solutions can be found to address challenges facing the care sector. ‘Creativity in Care’ produced by ITN Productions, highlights how creative thinking when it comes to funding, could address some of social care’s issues. The programme is part of a wider campaign to find new solutions to social care’s long-standing issues. People in care 'are the same as us’ When asked by Natasha Kaplinsky how Care England would introduce more creativity into care, Martin Green said: “Well, I think the essence of care is about being creative and responding to individual needs. It’s really important people use their imagination…and co-produce things with people who use services. “We should all remember how important things like arts and music and going to performance and things like that are important to us as individuals. That doesn’t stop just because we get older or frail or we might have a learning disability. “We need to remember people in care services are exactly the same as us. They need to have things in their lives… that are about changing the mundane into the inspirational – those are the things that have to be the cornerstone of good care.“ ‘Got to have a difficult conversation’ with the public On the subject of the social care green paper, he said: “We’re expecting to hear that the green paper will be published by the end of the year, but it has been significantly delayed. “I think it’s part of a political classes inertia that they don’t want to face up to the fact that they’ve got to find a long-term solution. "They’ve also got to have a difficult conversation with the general public about which bits of care will be paid for by the state and which bits will be paid for by the individual. “I want a green paper that will set out a vision but will also set out a route map for delivery”. Mr Green also talked about reclaiming the word ‘integration’ in relation to NHS and social care as promoted by the government. “Real integration is about how people experience a service. "So it doesn’t matter whether it’s the NHS …or social care providing it or a private provider“… the individual must not see “the joins where services meet one another”. Source: https://www.carehome.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1602395/care-homes-dementia-carer-champions-agitation
read more
-
Nursing once again tops chart of most trusted professions
Nursing has once again been identified as Britain’s most trusted profession with the vast majority of the public saying they have confidence in nurses to tell the truth. According to Ipsos MORI’s Veracity Index for 2018, a whopping 96% of people have faith in nurses to tell them the truth – up from 94% in 2017.The long-running annual survey of more than 1,000 adults shows nurses rank above doctors at 92%, teachers at 89% and engineers at 87%.Nurses are also more trusted than professors, scientists, judges and the police, having topped all other professions since being added to the list in 2016.Donna Kinnair, acting chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said the achievement was “well-deserved” but warned that public appreciation would not fix staff shortages or falling student numbers. The poll, which has been undertaken every year since 1983, shows Britons are mistrustful of politicians with only about one in five – 22% - having faith in government ministers.When it comes to “politicians generally” that drops to 19% just up from the lowest ranking profession – advertising executives at 16%, included in the list for the first time this year.However, the poll shows people are more inclined to trust civil servants, such as those working behind the scenes at the Department of Health, who have seen their standing rise over time. This year 62% of those surveyed said they trusted civil servants to tell the truth – up from 59% in 2017 and 56% in 2016. Civil servants have been the strongest risers in all the time the Veracity Index has been going with public trust in the profession increasing 37 percentage points since the poll first took place. The index also shows how various factors in people’s lives such as political outlook and personal circumstances affect how likely they are to trust different professions.While some professions see wide variations in trust from different groups, the data appears to show nursing is almost universally trusted by all sections of society. For example, 98% of people who voted Conservative said they trusted nurses compared with 96% of Labour voters.Of those who voted remain in the referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU, 97% said they trusted nurses compared with 96% of those who voted leave.Meanwhile, people with degree-level qualifications were equally likely to trust nurses as those without with 96% from both groups saying they felt nurses told the truth.Dame Donna said: “This is a proud and well-deserved achievement for our profession. It is a testament to the hard work and care nursing staff provide to patients. “Public appreciation will not fix staff shortages nor reverse falling student nursing numbers. “As nursing vacancies in England increase and are expected to hit 48,000 in the next five years, the government must do more to show nurses they are valued.”She called on ministers to put at least £1bn a year back into nursing higher education.“The public is on the side of nurses, the government must now build the future nursing workforce of tomorrow,” Dame Donna added. Source: https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/latest/nursing-once-again-tops-chart-of-most-trusted-professions/7026833.article?blocktitle=Also-in-the-News&contentID=27749
read more
let's connect