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NORTH-WEST’S FIRST INTERGENERATIONAL CARE


VILLAGE OFFICIALLY OPENS The north-west’s first intergenerational care village, home to both older people and young children living and learning together, has celebrated its launch with great fanfare and celebration, as Lord Mayor of Chester Councillor Sheila Little declared Belong Chester officially open.


Marking the latest dementia-friendly development by not- for-profit care operator Belong, the guest of honour unveiled a commemorative plaque before guests were treated to a heartening performance from Sankofa Songsters, the village’s very own intergenerational choir.


The City Road village supports older people to live their lives independently, with the site’s integrated day nursery, operated by national charity Ready Generations, offering extensive experiences for all ages, under one roof. The nursery children feature in the daily life of residents and tenants, enjoying experiences together including shared mealtimes, stories, arts and craſts, exercise, and ‘prambles’ – rambling with pushchairs – now a familiar sight in Chester.


Speaking of the ceremony, Councillor Sheila Little, Lord Mayor of Chester said: “It was a pleasure to look round the village and officially open Belong Chester, and to meet staff


NCF RESPONDS TO GOVERNMENT’S PLANS TO LIMIT


IMMIGRATION The National Care Forum (NCF), the leading association for not-for-profit social care, has responded to proposed new government plans to limit immigration announced by the Home Secretary which follow the recent publication by the ONS of high immigration figures.


The new regulations include the prevention of international care workers bringing dependent family members with them when coming to the UK, other measures which impact on the care sector are a review of the Shortage Occupation List, an increase to the annual immigration health surcharge by 66% from £634 to £1,035 and an increase of the skilled worker threshold to £38,700, but it appears the health and care visa route will be exempt from this.


Professor Vic Rayner, CEO of NCF commented: “Adult social care faces systemic shortages in frontline


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and residents. This is a particularly exciting and innovative development as it includes a nursery, which benefits both the children who attend and the residents who visit to play and read to them. I look forward to visiting again to see how the village is growing and developing.”


Patrick Butler, General Manager at Belong Chester, added: “We’re thrilled to commemorate our official opening; it’s been a wonderful day full of laughter, joy, and plenty of fizz. We invite everyone who has yet to visit us to come and say hello, see what we have to offer, and enjoy a coffee in our bistro, now we have officially arrived.”


www.belong.org.uk


workforce, and even with the 70,000 or more international workers joining last year, Skills for Care reported 152,000 vacancies in the sector in October. This is unsustainable for any sector, never mind one upon which millions of people rely for care, each and every day. Last summer the government heralded the arrival of international workers, and indeed funded a programme to support local authorities to encourage the recruitment of staff through this mechanism. However, today, it would appear that it wants to restrict the essential arrival of care workers who have been, and remain, fundamental to care.


“The Migration Advisory Committee was always clear in its advice when it included care staff on the Shortage Occupation List as necessary to bring vitally needed staff into the sector. However, it had always noted that in order to properly address shortages in the care workforce it was essential to enhance the pay, terms and conditions of those staff. That is not possible without government reform, and a proper focus on funding the ever-growing need for


care. The National Audit Office issued a damning report last month which laid bare just how little work had gone on centrally to move forward the already cut reform work on social care. Out of an overall stated workforce budget of over £260m, only £1.7m had been spent – and ironically this had been on supporting international recruitment plans the government now seem to be overturning. Without this fundamental work on addressing workforce reforms, restricting the supply of international recruits will only cause greater pressure on services, increasing the risk that those who need care will not be able to access it.”


Professor Rayner concluded: “The government must not put at risk the ability of international care workers to become valuable team members, with vital skills and expertise that are fundamental to the delivery of care. What is needed is a balance between international workers coming into the UK, recruited through ethical practices, and better pay, terms and conditions for all care workers fully funded by the state.”


www.nationalcareforum.org.uk - 7 -


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