AN urgent recruitment drive has been launched for adult care workers to help care for Northwich's most vulnerable at home and in care homes.

The Care Hero Campaign – which originally launched in April 2020 at the peak of the first Covid-19 wave – highlights the staffing crisis currently faced by the care sector.

With the pandemic continuing to put increased pressure on hospital wards and social care services, local authorities including Cheshire West and Chester Council are keen to recruit even more carers in the short-term to deal with the crisis and beyond.

Delyth Curtis, deputy chief executive at CWAC, said: "We are on a collective mission to recruit people from across the region to support adult social care services during the ongoing pandemic.

"Care Heroes will form part of a national effort to bolster the workforce and showcase the importance of joining social care right now.

"Working as a care worker is an incredibly rewarding job and will really suit people who are kind, caring and compassionate, and who have good communication skills.

"If you think this is you, then please do get in touch."

CWAC says it is urgently looking for care staff in residential or nursing home care, support staff in supported living settings, and domiciliary care or home care staff.

Full training will be available to those recruited, and all staff will be provided with adequate PPE to enable to them to do their job safely.

Recruits will also have access to a Covid-19 vaccine as a care worker and regular testing.

Across the north west, there is a staff absence of 10 per cent in care homes, leading to a shortage of almost 5,000 staff.

For more information visit cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/careheroes