Daughters carer refused covid vaccine

[Nevic84]

My daughter 6 has multiple health needs mainly a tracheostomy but also a weakened immune system and minor heart defect.
She’s a happy and otherwise healthy child.
But she’s classed as clinically extremely vulnerable.
She has 1:1 carers as her condition is life threatening.
Her main carer has refused covid vaccine.
Not for any religious or health reasons she doesn’t want to be bullied into having it and if she gets it she’ll get it when she wants and not before (her words)
In her personal life she’s not following covid restrictions and having people over her house and going into other peoples house and visiting public places a lot only wearing mask when mandatory.
What’s peoples opinions and how would they deal with it?
Aibu to think if you work in care you would care enough to want to protect those who couldn’t be protected?
I worry about my daughter everyday I feel scared for her.
As an employer I can’t force her to have it.

@jessstan2

Has your daughter been vaccinated, op? I realise she may not be because of her immune system problems.

Children under 16 are not yet being vaccinated, although there are trials ongoing.

I understand the difficulty of finding someone new with appropriate training and with a good bond etc, but you need to start looking. The carer is being extremely irresponsible in her behaviour.

Thanks Mrs Mackesy, I didn't realise that. There must surely be some exceptions.

Not following COVID rules when you’re caring for extremely vulnerable people at your job is very irresponsible at best and criminal (in my opinion) at worst.
However IMO she should be entitled to to refuse the vaccine. Only she decides what goes into her body. Just like you are entitled to find a new carer based on her decisions and in your shoes, I would start looking for a new one immediately!

@LaBellina

Not following COVID rules when you’re caring for extremely vulnerable people at your job is very irresponsible at best and criminal (in my opinion) at worst. However IMO she should be entitled to to refuse the vaccine. Only she decides what goes into her body. Just like you are entitled to find a new carer based on her decisions and in your shoes, I would start looking for a new one immediately!

Yes, she is entitled to refuse the vaccine. But she is not entitled to get upset when she is then let go from her carer job as a result of her choice.

I'm not sure where people think the OP is going to suddenly magic up a new carer from. Trachy teaching takes time and people already trained are few and far between.

She is entitled to her views but in this instance her decision makes her unsuitable to be your DD's carer. Time for her to go.

I stopped care for the first lockdown until I couldn’t do it on my own no longer I’m a single parent with health needs of my own and other children with behavioural problems.
The vaccine has only just been offered.
I have tried explaining - I’ll get she’ll be going to school eventually and none of them are vaccinated.
“ My body , my choice “

To further add this carer is predominantly her 1:1 in school. And wouldn’t wear ppe at school as she’s the only one and doesn’t want to look stupid.
School staff at my children’s school don’t have to wear ppe.

You need a new carer @Nevic84 it should be a requirement for all carers of vulnerable people to be vaccinated and it’s that simple. If they’re not willing to be vaccinated it’s not the right job for them and what else might they disagree with and simply not do.

Your carer seems very immature.

I would do as others have suggested and get legal advice on terminating her employment. Then I'd start looking for another carer.

I’d start looking for a new carer.

According to a report in the Daily Fail, police have arrested 2 carers in Devon for 'wilful negligence' after 9 residents at a care home died since January.
This could set a precedent for legally blaming carers if they flout Covid rules which result in harm to their clients.

Do you actually employ her, OP, or is she self -employed? If she's self-employed all the stuff about disciplinary action and her rights is irrelevant, and your problem is just finding someone else with her experience and ability who will do the job.
As another PP has said, she's performing care that's supposed to require higher qualifications, so it may be impossible to find someone to do her job for the same money.

And wouldn’t wear ppe at school as she’s the only one and doesn’t want to look stupid.

Wow. She really has the maturity of a 7 year old.

And yet you're ok with this?

I wouldn't trust her to look after my cat. Or to operate my toaster. Her immaturity is astonishing.

@DianaT1969

According to a report in the Daily Fail, police have arrested 2 carers in Devon for 'wilful negligence' after 9 residents at a care home died since January. This could set a precedent for legally blaming carers if they flout Covid rules which result in harm to their clients.

Very good news. Personally I would have them charged with murder. Or at the very least, Manslaughter.

OP I'm assuming ( hoping) your carer has been trained and deemed competent by a registered health professional?

PPE is part of training. Not wearing it breaches that.. in itself a reason for her to be stopped from caring for your child

The public liability insurance the council/NHS make you take out will have an employment advice line you can call. It will be listed on the paperwork.

I'm pretty sure you can let her go, but get advice.

@Cokie3 that would be a complete waste of public money. They'd be found not guilty as it doesn't meet the criteria for either.

Op, you need proper legal advice as firing her or even putting her under pressure exposes you to significant financial risk. She can claim unfair dismissal if she feels forced to resign. ACAS is a good place to start and they've already got a fact sheet up www.acas.org.uk/working-safely-coronavirus/getting-the-coronavirus-vaccine-for-work

As you're using Direct Payments you should also speak to your social worker, and definitely the HCP (community nurse?) responsible for her trache

I don't think it'll be you stopping her working with your daughter then

Get another carer. Your number one priority is your daughter's health.

I have nothing to add but my outrage on your behalf, Nevic84
You have so much on your plate and the audacity of your dd's "carer" taking such risks.

This makes my blood boil. My dd also had multiple health issues including a trachy. She died (yes died) from a virus. We fought with our carers to have the flu vaccine but if she were still alive would have had the same battle over the covid vaccine I’m sure. I don’t know why people choose to work in a care profession with medically vulnerable people, yet can refuse to do something that will protect them. Get a new carer. Sorry carer is being so difficult.

Just rtft (sorry was rushing). If wearing ppe is part of her contract then you should enforce it or get rid of her. She sounds like an idiot who really doesn’t put your dd’s needs first at all.

Entirely her choice not to have vaccine but she shouldn't be working with vulnerable people. I'd have to say that