Update on Holiday Support for Families attending Severndale or Supporting Children and Young People with High Level Support Needs.

22/07/2022

Following PACC’s contact with Shropshire Council about the reduction in holiday support for families with young people with high level support needs, we have been receiving regular updates on the work being done to recruit additional support staff.  Today we received the information below:

“As of today, the numbers of possible casual staff reached and those interested continues to grow, now at 21 with 5 having provided full details.  There are also an extra 5  from an agency, we are currently chasing compliancy details.   Action for Children have dedicated a fast-track recruitment contact and HR team who are supporting with the recruitment process.   Once individual casual staff have been confirmed with a start date, availability will be matched with the needs of families (to also include Bradbury House stays where appropriate), DCT and AFC will quickly liaise with families depending on who they are known to.  We meet again next Tuesday so follow up on conversions into jobs.”

It is positive to hear that Shropshire Council and Action For Children are working together to address the staffing difficulties and that there has been a good response to the request for casual staff.  We have asked for further information about what the support offer for families may now look like, for example will families receive an amended holiday club offer or will families be offered direct support from individual support workers?  We have also highlighted that the holiday club offers an important opportunity for young people to meet and socialise with their friends during the holidays and that this was seen as of particular value by families.

As soon as we receive any further information we will share via this website and our social media network.  If you are impacted by this situation and you have any specific questions, please do get in touch on enquiries@paccshropshire.org.uk or via Facebook messenger.