Care recruitment issues blamed on immigration rules

States members will be presented with an opportunity to increase social security contribution rates to fund long-term care

Challenges recruiting carers have been blamed on Guernsey's immigration policies.

Many carers can only get one-year permits, according to Paula Burbridge from Connies Carers, which she said was "unattractive" for incoming staff.

Ms Burbridge also cited the current housing crisis as one of the key problems when it came to recruiting staff to work for her company.

The Committee for Home Affairs has been contacted for comment.

Connies Carers is a private provider of social care, often in people's homes.

The States has also struggled to recruit staff, which has led to some services being reduced.

Ms Burbridge said: "It's really difficult to recruit at the moment.

"One of the issues is, whilst we can get permits for people to work, we can only get one-year permits as we aren't linked to residential homes.

"We're often looking for a more mature carer with experience, and they don't want to move for a year.

"Plus, the accommodation issues make it even harder; we're competing against the States, who can offer keyworker-subsidised accommodation."

Paula Burbridge said it was currently very difficult to hire good quality carers because of local laws

Former Employment and Social Security President Michelle Le Clerc agreed the problems in recruitment were caused by the island's population regime.

She challenged the current States to tackle the issue of funding for long-term care this term.

But she also conceded it was unlikely the current assembly would make a decision on the long-term funding of the issue.

"It is too difficult a decision and I expect we'll see a proposal to increase social security contributions instead," she said.

You can hear more about the challenges facing social care in BBC Guernsey's Election 2025 podcast: Your Voice, Your Vote.