Coronavirus (COVID-19): job retention (furlough) of social care staff required to shield

Employers can apply to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for 80% of workers’ normal wages in some circumstances including if a worker has been contacted by the NHS and advised to ‘shield’ and it is not possible to carry out their normal or alternative work.

The UK Government’s Department of Health and Social Care has approved the following guidance for social care employers on the use of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough). We urge employers to read the guidance and to act in accordance with it.

The guidance is also published in the news section of the Skills for Care website.

Personal assistant employers that are not eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme should refer to the Scottish Government’s forthcoming self-directed support guidance for relevant advice.