Home care assistants needed at new Wiltshire complex

FIFTY new jobs are to be created for people interested in becoming home care assistants. The roles come off the back of Swindon Council’s decision to appoint a new firm to care for elderly residents in the soon to be completed Maple Court complex in Moredon and three other sheltered Swindon housing schemes.

The jobs, on offer from First City Nursing Services, are to be in the company’s supported living complexes, which are designed to allow people with care needs to live more independently in their own flat.

Stephen Trowbridge, the business manager of the company, said that, as opposed to standard care packages which see 15 to 30 minutes of residential care, supported living schemes offer the elderly or unwell a number of hours a week.

He said: “It is definitely a varied role no two days are the same.

“So one day you could be helping people to shower helping them to get out of bed or get ready or help them take their medication.

“The type of person that would be using our services are someone who has just left hospital with a hip replacement, they would need a bit of looking after and helping to rebuild their confidence, so eventually they would be able to do it themselves.

“However, on other occasions it could mean going shopping or to the theatre or helping to pay bills.

“To a certain degree this is a recession proof career, people are always going to need care.

“We have had people go on to be nurses, managers and social workers, but this is not a stepping stone we want people to stay with us.”

Steve Bryce, of the council’s adult social care department, said: “We believe it is better for the clients to remain living independently as long as possible, and it is also a wise use of taxpayers’ money and council resources.

“One of our aims is to help people maintain their independence and daily routines as far as is reasonably possible, taking into account lifelong likes and dislikes.

“It’s about flexing the system to make it fit the individual instead of forcing everyone to fit the same mould.”

Anyone interested in a vacancy is asked to call 01793 434222 for details and an application form. Previous care experience and NVQ qualifications are preferred, though not essential.