Social workers arrive in Scotland as part of international pilot to tackle staff shortages

Social care workers have arrived in Renfrewshire from overseas as part of an international pilot aimed at tackling recruitment challenges in the sector.

The health and social care partnership (HSCP) and council have been participating in a programme led by the Scottish Government and NHS Education for Scotland.

The aim of the project is to test ways of addressing staff shortages in adult social care which are being experienced nationally at the moment.

It has been confirmed three people travelled from South Africa in May and are undertaking induction and onboarding for employment in the Care at Home service. A fourth person arrived earlier this month.

An update on the pilot has been included in a report by Christine Laverty, chief officer of the HSCP, which will be considered at Friday’s meeting of the integration joint board, the body responsible for its oversight.

She said: “The aim of the project is to test approaches which can help address the recruitment challenges facing adult social care nationally.

“Through the pilot process, an international recruitment agency was appointed to source suitably experienced and qualified candidates internationally for interview by HSCP staff and to support the completion of pre-employment checks (including overseas convictions) and travel booking.

“This resulted in four people being offered permanent employment to our Care at Home service.

“On May 8, three of the four people arrived from South Africa and have been settling into their new surroundings while undertaking induction and onboarding.

“The fourth person to be recruited arrived in early June and will progress onboarding alongside their colleagues.

“The service has put in place a buddy scheme with additional support provided via local community support networks.

“The pastoral support process will seek to minimise the impact of social isolation and the psychological impact of migration.”

The pilot is a grant-funded project which has been ongoing since last autumn.