Parklands plans new affordable homes for key workers at Inverness care hub

Highland care home operator Parklands Care Homes is to build new affordable rental homes for its staff and other key workers as part of a multi-million-pound investment in Inverness.The Grantown-based operator began work on the first phase of a £10 million integrated care hub at Milton of Leys in Inverness in December, a 58-bed care home due to open in 2023.A second phase, a later living village comprising 11 two-bedroom bungalows for sale, will follow. The later living village is intended to act as a bridge between independent living and the traditional care home model, with residents enjoying access to shared services and social activities with the care home while leading otherwise independent lives.In the meantime, Parklands has submitted plans for 24 affordable homes on a nearby site. The proposed £4.5m Leys Square development will consist of 12 two-bedroom apartments alongside 12 two-bed cottage flats.The company hopes its investment will encourage key workers to take up new posts at the care hub.Priority will be given to Parklands employees but, if there is spare capacity, the accommodation could be offered to other health and social care workers in the local community.This is the latest initiative by Parklands to recruit care staff. Last year it announced it would offer a £2,000 welcome bonus to new full-time nurses and a £250 cash incentive for other new employees, including carers. The company has also created 18 new Trainee Care Assistant roles (two at each home) through the UK Government’s Kickstart Scheme.