A Newark-on-Trent care home manager has explained how she reduced the amount of agency staff used at her service to zero.
Michelle Green is manager at Greenfields, a residential unit supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health issues and physical disabilities requiring complex care.
When she took over the service, which is part of Salutem Care and Education, in January 2022 it was using more than 700 hours a week of agency staff.
Within less than 12 months the last agency staff worked a shift and the home now has more than 50 permanent employees, Salutem reported.
Greenfields is also still recruiting to fulfil plans to refurbish a currently empty building on the site to expand the service.
Green explained how she achieved this notable milestone: “The first thing I did was to contact staff who had recently left, and bank staff, to offer them roles.
“Flexibility is a key factor, so offering shifts that fit with people’s lives was crucial to attracting staff. We get many applicants for every role and if we can find the right fit then that person will stay.
“As well as the positive financial implications, the people we support benefit from continuity and seeing the same faces every day.
“It hasn’t been easy, but I am now where I want to be with Greenfields and we are going from strength to strength, taking new admissions and planning expansion.”
Kirstie Jones, chief people officer at Salutem Care and Education, said: “Michelle is an example of how excellent recruitment practices can transform a service. She has worked wonders at Greenfields, and everyone has benefited from her efforts.
“Well done, Michelle, you truly are a star.”
