Grade boost for home help coordinators
by Niall Shanahan
 
Catherine said the regrade for home help coordinators was especially welcome following a particularly challenging year for those workers in post.
Catherine said the regrade for home help coordinators was especially welcome following a particularly challenging year for those workers in post.

Home help coordinator posts currently at grade VI level are to be upgraded to grade VII, following a successful claim by Fórsa utilising the HSE clerical administration job evaluation scheme. The new grading is effective from 9th October 2019.

 

Fórsa official Catherine Keogh said the claim was processed following agreement at the WRC on the proposed operating model for the introduction of the Community Healthcare Organisations (CHO) networks.

 

“The agreement also covers structures in social care, and, as part of a separate engagement in this context we included a group claim for home help coordinators on the grading for the post across the country,” she said.

 

Catherine explained that the regrading circular, issued on 21st June includes the following provisions:

  • All new appointments to the role will be at grade VII level, also with effect from 9th October 2019
  • In line with HSE HR circular 008/2016, this rate will apply to any staff member filling the position
  • Save in circumstances where local probation arrangements are at play, current permanent post holders will be designated into the new grade
  • Normal pay on promotion rules as per circular 10/71 will apply.

Catherine said the regrade for home help coordinators was especially welcome following a particularly challenging year for those workers in post. “Like all health professionals, the pandemic disrupted pretty much every aspect of the working week and the operational aspects of delivering the home help service.

 

“They were able to ensure that as many people as possible received care, safely, in their own homes at the height of the pandemic. This made a crucial difference to the lives of the people to whom they provide the service, and to the communities in which they live. 

 

“The home help coordinators continued to do an excellent job in challenging conditions, and this outcome illustrates the value they bring to this crucial service. Fórsa is proud to represent them, they are very much at the heart of our health and welfare services,” she said.

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