Does anyone know why Support Worker positions, particularly in Mental Health, are now all temporary? Every job I've been notified of by the recruitment agencies that I've signed up with have all been temporary - for 2 or 3 months only.
I presumed it was because funders and commissioners were waiting to see what April would bring in the form of budget cuts but now we're well into June, budgets have been allocated and yet still all the jobs are temporary. The cynic in me thinks it maybe because there are less rights for temporary workers and they also have to pay for their own CRB check. Are there any more ominous reasons? What's going on? I've so far refused to apply for these positions - I don't want to be made to jump through hoops for 8 weeks of work.
I've already had enough of the job insecurity in this sector - a colleague that I've worked with in the past has been TUPE'd 3 times in the last 2 years and I've been TUPE'd twice in the same period, working for different organisations.
I'm already looking for different employment opportunities, which is a shame. I have the skills and experience that could be of benefit to service users/clients (no trumpet blowing intended!) but feel I'm being forced out.
Any opinions anyone?