Retention Bonus for Carers Working in CQC Regulated Care in Somerset
The NHS and Somerset County Council have jointly agreed funding to pay all carers working in CQC regulated care in Somerset a retention bonus by March 2022, provided they have been employed and working in the care sector for the last 6 months.
Anyone who has joined or joins between September 2021 and March 2022 will still be entitled to the payment on completion of their six months. This £250 bonus payment will be based on an FTE hours and is therefore pro-rata.
There will also be a preparation start payment of £250 for all new starters in the domiciliary care sector reflecting set up costs, such as changes to insurance or transport arrangements, provided they had not worked in care in Somerset for the preceding 3 months. This will be paid 3 months after their start date if still employed and would not be pro-rata. These new starters would then be entitled to the further payment in line with the six month retention payment.
This is a huge signal of our continued intent to support our fantastic carers and providers and the work that they do for the people of Somerset. We intend to continue working with the sector on further initiatives including career progress, joint posts with the NHS, salaried positions and different models of care. The measures advised in this brief are over and above the recent hourly investment in domiciliary care pay rates.
Eligibility for these payments will be up until the end of March 2022 with carers who have joined between September 2021 and March 2022 receiving a payment after they have completed 6 months.
Further Information on how to claim for Carer Retention Payments: