A staff shortage of social workers and occupational therapists in Bristol is leading to delays for people accessing social care. But Bristol City Council bosses said a recent increase in pay has meant more candidates are now applying for jobs and help fill the shortage.
About a fifth of roles in the adult social care department, for social workers and OTs, remain vacant. These professionals are crucial for assessing what care support people are entitled to, and similar shortages are affecting councils across the country.
Vacant roles are often temporarily filled with expensive agency staff, costing the council more than paying its own staff. An update on the shortage was given to councillors on the adult social care policy committee on Monday, October 21.
Hugh Evans, executive director for adults and communities, said: “We had a shortfall of social workers and occupational therapists. We recently had a review of those roles and have managed to secure an increased pay grade for them.
“We’re now seeing early days of evidence of more people coming along when we’re recruiting. Our roles are more attractive than they were, and they’re as attractive as North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset. So we can compete again in our local market.
“That’s good for people who qualified in Bristol universities and want to stay in Bristol, but as soon as they need to buy a house they realise that Bristol might be more expensive. So it’s good to help people stay in the city where they want to.”
But a risk report, published ahead of the committee meeting, detailed the impact on disabled and elderly people waiting for assessment. Sickness rates in the teams have doubled over the past year, adding to issues, while over 1,500 people are waiting for an assessment or review.
The report said: “These increased waiting times and reduction in annual reviews put citizens at increased risk of harm, as there is no guarantee that their needs are being adequately met. Increasingly staff are responding to citizens in crisis … which results in commissioning additional services, causing increased costs.”