The recruitment crisis in social care won’t be resolved until wages rise in the sector, and achieving this with the government’s promised fair pay agreement will be the first step towards a much-needed national care service in England, says UNISON today (Sunday).
The union’s standing up for care workers motion is the first debate of the four-day Trades Union Congress (TUC), which opens in Brighton later this afternoon. UNISON’s proposal also calls for a credible workforce strategy and an end to the exploitation of migrant care staff.
A fair pay agreement for social care was mentioned both in Labour’s manifesto and in the King’s Speech, and UNISON says the long-awaited reform of social care can’t begin until this becomes a reality.
Social care employers in England already have 131,000 fewer staff than they need. As long as pay rates in care stick around the minimum-wage mark, the sector won’t be able to recruit and retain the workers needed to meet the growing demands of an ageing population, says UNISON.
The new government has also committed to establishing a national care service, a move which the union says is essential to provide quality support to everyone who needs it and their families. A national service would also relieve pressure on the NHS, and help promote care work as fairly paid and a career worth having, the union adds.
The development of a fair pay agreement will additionally help to stop the illegal underpayment of wages especially among the migrant workers who are essentially stopping the sector from going under, says UNISON, the largest union for social care staff.
In its motion, UNISON says “unions must hold Labour to account on its plans to ensure providers behave responsibly”.
The motion highlights how poor pay and working conditions – such as a lack of sick pay – explain why skilled care staff are leaving for better-paid, less-stressful jobs elsewhere, and care firms are struggling to attract new employees. This dire situation has severe consequences for those who rely on care and is putting untold pressure on their families, says UNISON.
The motion to the Congress adds: “Thousands of elderly and disabled people are not receiving the levels of support they need.
“This crisis has been caused by a toxic combination of years of chronic underfunding, privatisation and workforce exploitation. Employment in the sector is frequently insecure and largely underpaid, often illegally so.
“Proper sick pay remains elusive for thousands of care workers, along with training and progression opportunities. Congress is particularly alarmed at the exploitation of the migrant workforce.”
UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Social care is in a shocking state after many years of neglect.
“The sector is in crisis with ever greater numbers of vulnerable people in need of care, and record workforce vacancies.
“Care workers will only feel valued enough to stay when they are paid higher wages and treated better. The crumbling care system is in desperate need of reform, but real change can only begin when salaries reflect the skilled work staff do.
“A national care service would mean fewer older people going into hospital because of a lack of support, freeing up beds and allowing the NHS to cut waits and delays for patients. It would also put a stop to the appalling treatment of employees from overseas.
“At last there is a government committed to improving social care. A fair pay agreement and a national care service will make a huge difference to care staff and the families of those who rely upon their support.”
Sam Thornton, a care worker, said: “Getting a fair pay agreement up and running is the most urgent and important thing for care workers like me. That would provide a system for sorting out pay levels, which have been such a huge problem for so long.
“I want a national care service that’s top quality for the people who need it. The only way to do that is to invest in a skilled workforce. Care workers have been left at the bottom of the pile for far too long and that needs to change.”
Kathleen Moore, whose husband receives care support, said: “A national care service could stop people having to jump through hoops to get the right help.
“Navigating the system and finding care has been a very frustrating and isolating experience because no one really tells you what support is available.
“The current system is totally disjointed, short-staffing means care assessments are delayed and some of the workers are treated shockingly by their employers. It shouldn’t be down to luck that you land the right support. It should be guaranteed.”
Notes to editors:
– The 156th annual Trades Union Congress will be held from today (8) to Wednesday 11 September in Brighton. UNISON’s motion which is number 48 will be the first to be discussed this afternoon – https://congress.tuc.org.uk/motion-48-standing-up-for-care-workers/#sthash.kjxXlHaW.zZ8beh8n.dpbs
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
The article Only fairer wages and a national care service can solve the growing crisis in social care first appeared on the UNISON National site.