Staffing crisis delays opening of houses for people with intellectual disabilities

A CRISIS in recruiting support staff is set to delay the opening of two new residential homes in Kells that would allow six adults with intellectual disabilities to live independently.

Clann Mór, a charity based at Commons Road, Navan, supports men and women with intellectual disabilities to live independently as well as providing respite and outreach services. Director of Service Martine Healy explained that they have not yet been able to recruit support staff for two brand new homes being provided by Meath County Council that are due to open in Kells.

"We have two new houses in Kells that we can't open until we have staff in place. We have never had a shortage of staff like this before," she said.

Ms Healy told how ten support workers are needed to staff both houses and a recruitment drive in March resulted in just one position being filled with two other students applying who could provide part-time hours and holiday cover but could not work full-time.

Without staff in place, Clann Mór cannot complete the HIQA registration process and allocate the houses to the residents who have been identified for them.

“People have been identified for these houses. Some of these people need to avail of the places because their circumstances have changed or their family situation has changed and in some cases is it a crisis situation where a family member that cared for them has passed on,” Ms Healy explained.

Another recruitment drive has been launched and Ms Healy told how they have advertised everywhere they can think of in the hope that they can source the staff they need to allow them to open the service.

“We have management structures in place and the co-ordinator post has been filled but we now need the frontline community based support staff to join our team to allow us open these properties once it they are approved to open by HIQA.”

She said they are not the only service that is being affected by staff shortages.

“This is the sad reality. It has never happened us before. It is not just us, there is a shortage of staff in all service providers. It is a national crisis.”

Support staff are needed 24/7 365 days a year who work on a roster basis which involves shift work, sleepover shifts and night duty. Staff require a minimum qualification of QQI Level 5 in Health or Social Work.

The role involves supporting people with intellectual disabilities to live as independently as possible in their own home and to support them in their every day skills like cooking, dressing, getting ready for their day services, going to the cinema, etc.

Ms Healy said most of their residents are mobile and able to chat and communicate and they generally attend work enterprises or day services.

Twenty years ago Clann Mór only had its property on the Commons Road but now it has expanded to 12 properties. Funding is provided by the HSE and the service also relies on fundraising and donations. Properties are rented from Meath County Council, the approved housing bodies and some from private landlords.