Social care experts appeal for more carers to come forward

A team of experts who have come together to disrupt the expensive and complex social care system by running a recruitment ‘app’ for carers are appealing for more to sign up from Wiltshire, Somerset and Oxfordshire. 

AgoraStaff is a temporary staffing app for the social care sector founded by Richard Williams-Pears, a former town councillor and former mayor of St Austell in Cornwall, who saw firsthand the rising costs and inefficiencies in social care.

He teamed up with his wife Jolene, AgoraStaff’s Director of Outstanding Compliance, who has an extensive background in operating theatres, and Janet Shreeve, who brings hands-on care sector experience from running Shreeve Care Services, based in Wiltshire.

AgoraStaff went live earlier this year and with more care providers coming on board, there’s a need for more qualified carers to sign up for shifts, particularly in the counties of Somerset, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire.

Janet Shreeve said: “Following on from the launch of AgoraStaff only six months ago, we have been delighted with the calibre of carers working with us and are looking for more to join our ever expanding team.

“Carers can sign up to the app, provide evidence of their qualifications and training and, once verified, can then apply for available shifts. For the care homes who need them, they avoid paying expensive agency fees which can be as much as 30 per cent per shift. This means the carers earn more for each hour worked and the care home simply pays the cost of being on the app plus a minimal five per cent fee per shift.”

Richard said: “Providing care is expensive, especially when providers have to pay agencies to fill shifts at the last minute. Carers often earn minimum wage, while agencies charge hefty fees on top.”

Care providers normally sign up for the app for a monthly fee of £34.99 per location (plus five per cent from the agreed daily shift fee) and trained carers sign up FREE once they have completed the vetting process. However until January 31 2026 care providers can sign up to the app free of charge for a period of time. It’s hoped that soon the app will be able to offer permanent work for carers alongside temporary opportunities. For more information visit https://www.agorastaff.com/

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