NEARLY half of all new home care support workers in Inverclyde leave their posts within the first year - for better paid jobs in retail.

The stark revelation - which has sparked a major overhaul for the service - came at the latest meeting of health and social care body the Integrated Joint Board (IJB). 

A massive 48 per cent of home support staff move to the retail sector within 12 months of working within Inverclyde's Health & Social Care Partnership set-up, the board was told.

IJB chief officers Kate Rocks described the number of people switching to work in shops for more pay and less responsibility as 'incredible' amid a call for staff to be paid £15 an hour.

Among a raft of new proposals staff pay is to be upgraded and the job title will change from home support worker to social care worker in a move that is set to cost £1.3M.

There are also proposals to change the way the entire system works to improve opportunities and recognise the need for improved care.

Chief officer Ms Rocks said: "The number of home support workers we are currently training up and losing after the first year is incredible.

"Forty-eight per cent of them are moving to the retail sector for better pay and less responsibility.

"This has been a review that is long overdue and has been delayed because of the pandemic."

But some members of the IJB are concerned that the current review needs to go further.

Former chairman Simon Carr said: "My worry is that we have not gone far enough. The demographic and acute trends are going against us. The IJB has to improve resources."

His concerns were echoed by Councillor Martin McCluskey, who praised the review but warned that action needs to be taken at a national level.

Councillor McCluskey said: "This is going to be very real to a large number of people, not just just the staff members for whom this is going to be really important, but to service users as well.

"I think what we have here is an understanding of the pressures they are under and the risks to service users if we don't get this right."

Councillor McCluskey called for the Scottish Government to take action and progress the national care service to help deliver care.

He is also calling on care workers pay to exceed £15 an hour going forward.

The IJB agreed to support  the review which will reduce extreme pressure within the service and develop capacity that enables people with complex needs to remain at home.

The board also approved the outputs of the review and planned work to transform the care at home service to a social care workforce for Inverclyde.

Members also agreed the funding of £1.3m to deliver the proposed changes.