As a family-run care home Coate Water Care has always been proud of the way we are able to recruit great nurses and carers and retain them by offering positive working conditions and a range of opportunities for career progression. In fact, many of our senior staff have been with us for years after joining us as starter carers.

That said, things have never been as challenging as they are at the moment. As you will probably have heard about on the news and in the press, there is a real shortage of nurses and carers in the care sector and in the NHS.

The perfect storm of the Covid pandemic, Brexit and compulsory vaccinations for care home staff has led to more than 110,000 vacancies in the care sector alone, leaving it facing the most acute recruitment and retention crisis in its history.

It is not an easy situation, but rest assured, when it comes to recruitment, Coate Water Care has always believed in being proactive and keeping ahead of the curve. We have held an overseas sponsorship licence since 2012 which means we are able to recruit skilled staff from overseas to complement our fabulous homegrown team.

With nurses and senior care assistants now being on the home office’s occupation shortage list we are delighted to say we have just welcomed eight new staff members from abroad, with another twelve set to arrive in the next couple of weeks.

All of these new staff members are qualified nurses and fully vaccinated, coming from a variety of countries including the Philippines, India, Nepal, Taiwan, Oman, Abu Dhabi and Ghana. All of them have passed an international standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers, and depending on their level they will start work at Coate Water Care as nurses or senior care assistants.

Over the last 26 years we have recruited many nurses and carers from countries like the Philippines and India and our experience is that they are not only highly skilled but they also see caring as a vocation, not just a job. They are highly empathetic with our residents, making them very popular members of staff.

For our part, we will do our very best to make them feel at home in their new country. Their first week will be spent in the luxury surroundings of Mockley Manor Care Home in Warwickshire, where they will stay in 5-star rooms kitted out with a full range of toiletries and a welcome pack with chocolates. They will also get a Coate Water Care fleece, valuable for those used to warmer climes!

The first week’s induction is aimed at helping our new nurses and carers become acclimatized to the working culture and norms in their new country and the way of doing things at Coate Water Care. After that first week, they will set off to the homes where they will be working full-time. They will live in their new care homes for a month or so while we help them to find long-term accommodation in their new towns.

Some have family members waiting for them in the UK, while others will bring their partners with them as part of the sponsorship scheme. Coate Water Care also has a full-time Ambassador for overseas recruits who is available to give them support and advice as they settle in their new country.

Regardless of where they come from, our staff are the key ingredient in the delivery of great care. We ask a lot of our employees but in return we offer good working conditions and opportunities to progress with us as we grow. Training is ongoing in order to maintain high levels of performance and to comply with all legislation.

Residents are at the centre of what we do and our aim is to really get to know each individual and support them to enjoy all the little things that make a big difference to their day. To make this happen, we need amazing and compassionate team members who are committed to delivering outstanding service.

Despite the challenges in the care sector, Coate Water Care continues to work tirelessly to recruit and retain the best staff so we can deliver the outstanding care your relatives and loved ones deserve. As we always say, ‘we care because you care’.

Coate Water Care is looking to sponsor further senior health care workers and qualified nurses, both those who are based overseas or those who are already in the UK wishing to change employers. Please apply at info@coatewatercare.co.uk