Seasonal Homecare Staff Challenges: Preparing for Winter Surges

The harsh winter season presents unique staffing challenges for the homecare sector. From increased demand due to weather-related illnesses, to higher staff absences, the added pressure on already busy home carers is heightened.

That’s why it’s important for caregivers to proactively prepare for winter challenges.

Here, we’ll discuss the UK government’s 2024-25 Adult Social Care Winter Plan, strategies to address staffing challenges, and how homecare software can support your agency this season.

Understanding Seasonal Home Care Staffing Challenges

First, let’s look at those seasonal challenges in homecare staffing:

• Increase in demand due to cold weather-related illnesses among vulnerable people, for example elderly and chronically ill clients.
• Higher rates of staff illness resulting in more absences.
• Travel disruption and coordinating schedules.

All these factors create a critical staffing crunch during peak winter months. Local authorities should already have good business continuity plans in place to tackle disruptions to energy supply, transport, and healthcare staff shortages that could affect adult social care provision.

The 2024-2025 Adult Social Care Winter Plan

Local authorities and adult social care providers will already be working with the NHS to keep people well and independent for as long as possible, prevent avoidable hospital and care home admissions, and support prompt and effective discharge for those admitted to hospital.

The UK Health Security Agency have produced the Adverse Weather and Health Plan to support planning and response to adverse winter weather; and works with local resilience forums (LRFs), organisations and carers to prioritise those most at risk.

Aligning your homecare agency goals with national objectives will create a cohesive, joined-up approach.

The UK government's 2024-2025 Adult Social Care Winter Plan sets out short term priorities ahead of, and during this winter period.

The focus is on:

• improving urgent and emergency care resilience
• patient experience and
• protecting patient safety

This ‘home-first’ approach will support people to live independently for longer, maintain high-quality care and more closely involve people receiving care, their families and carers.

Some initiatives that may interest homecare agencies, include:

• Increased funding to support seasonal staffing: Funding to improve both domestic and overseas recruitment and retention, will ensure individuals work for legitimate providers and tackle worker exploitation. Regional partnerships have received £16 million this year to prevent and respond to unethical practices in the sector. Beyond winter, the government will engage with workers and trade unions to establish the first Fair Pay Agreement for care professionals.
• Access to training resources and health & safety measures: Support for NHS winter surge planning, including contingency arrangements for a significant flu or COVID wave. Vaccination will continue to defend against respiratory disease and social care providers should follow up-to-date NHS advice for this year. As in previous years, COVID and flu vaccines will be offered to frontline workers as set out in the flu and COVID-19 seasonal vaccination programme autumn/winter 2024-25.
• Collaboration between health and social care providers to streamline care delivery: Local health and care systems will support people providing care for their family and friends throughout winter, including identifying family carers and access to health and wellbeing support for themselves, as well as for their loved ones.

Key Strategies for Addressing Winter Staffing Challenges

• Forecasting Demand and Capacity Planning: It’s important to accurately predict the demand for home care staff. You could use data collected from previous winters to work out your staffing needs. If you already use domiciliary care software, make use of forecasting tools to anticipate care needs and tweak staffing levels accordingly.
• Building a Flexible Workforce: Create a flexible staffing model, for example, employ a mix of full-time, part-time, and on-call staff to respond to changing demands. Develop mutual partnerships with staffing agencies or other local care providers when you need more support. Again, make use of tech to manage staff schedules dynamically and in real-time.
• Prioritising Staff Wellbeing and Engagement: With increased pressure and demand on home carers, explore ways to improve staff morale and reduce carer burnout. Perhaps, offer bonuses or incentives for working seasonal shifts or holiday work. Create staff wellness programmes and provide access to mental health support. Use dedicated homecare software to streamline processes, reduce the admin burden and free up carers to focus on person-centred care.

Role of Homecare Software in Managing Winter Staffing

As a homecare software provider, we have to mention the benefits of tech to help with your winter staffing issues.

1. Real-Time Scheduling and Workforce Management
Homecare software can simplify scheduling of seasonal shifts, particularly for sudden absences or increased demands. Features like real-time updates, shift-swapping, and automatic reminders can help reduce last-minute disruptions.

2. Remote Communication and Coordination
Over the winter period, it’s important to maintain clear communication between homecare staff, care clients, and families. Our Friends & Family app includes remote messaging, notifications, and alerts to keep everyone in the loop. A bonus is the ability to coordinate changes across your care team, especially when logistical challenges arise.

3. Data-Driven Insights
Homecare software provides useful data insights on staff performance, attendance, and shift completions. Certain patterns could be identified and recurring staffing issues addressed before they impact on service delivery.

Practical Tips for Homecare Agencies to Implement a Winter Staffing Plan

• Conducting Staff Training and Refresher Courses: Make sure your staff are adequately prepared for winter challenges by providing refresher training on infection control, managing emergency situations, and communicating with clients during a crisis.
• Enhancing Infection Control Measures: Implement recommended infection control protocols, including regular testing, PPE provisions, and hygiene practices, to protect both carers and clients from seasonal illnesses.
• Proactive Client Communication: Proactively communicate your agency winter plans and staffing limitations to clients and families, setting realistic expectations for service levels over the period.

A proactive approach

Adopting a proactive, tech-enabled approach could provide better resilience against winter staffing challenges in homecare, particularly when it comes to streamlining staff and care management.

We’d encourage preparing early and making the most of available technology to support your carers to deliver consistent, quality care over the winter.