Care for people in their own homes will be provided by staff at the Crossroads Caring for Carers charity for the next four months.

A 15-week agreement frees staff from the government’s Community Support Service (formerly Home Care) to support people in residential homes.

More staffing is required to continue supporting residents during the coronavirus outbreak.

Families who contacted the Examiner said they were given little notice of the changes, which will disrupt the routine of vulnerable people who rely on seeing familiar faces.

One of those who contacted us said: ’Many of the nurses are known to our family, especially our vulnerable family member, for more than 10 years.

’Their assistance includes washing and other health checks that require a trusting relationship as part of its success.

’Our ill family member is paralysed and cannot speak, but somehow through this relationship manages to communicate wishes with the home care team, following years of them developing that relationship.’

Members of the Community Support Service also raised their concerns with us about training and being sent to work in care homes.

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: ’Staff in the Community Support Service have been given some choice around where they will be redeployed.

’Up to 20 members of the service have volunteered to be part of the new Community Home Assessment and Treatment Team (CHATT).

’The remaining members of staff will be redeployed across adult social care residential services providing staffing capacity in the event of increased absence.

’The staff being redeployed to the CHATT will be given additional training in supporting people at home with Covid-19, which will include refresher training in the correct use of personal protective equipment.

’The staff being redeployed into residential services will have already completed much of the necessary training as part of their mandatory requirements.’

DHSC Minister David Ashford said: ’Across health and social care we expected to lose staff temporarily, so naturally we looked to the third sector to help us through this difficult time.

’The partnership with Crossroads offers an ideal short term solution.

’Rather than ask them to assist on an ad-hoc basis, we have agreed they will deliver the Community Support Service as a whole. It is a job they are eminently qualified to do, as their staff are experienced in assisting people to live at home.

’I thank the organisation for its enthusiasm and professional approach.’

He added: ’Home care is in good hands while we deploy our staff in crucial roles supporting vulnerable people in residential care.’