Charities and care groups have said that the “long overdue” recruitment drive would not be enough without fundamental changes to improve working conditions.
650,000 workers will be needed by 2035 to look after rising numbers of older patients, ministers said.
Care experts pointed out that around 400,000 social care workers leave the sector every year – a turnover rate of 30.7 per cent, twice the national average.
As of February 2018, the average hourly rate for care workers in the private sector is £7.82 per hour, a penny less than the national minimum wage for over 25s. (Deckchair Care pay £10ph and guarantee a salary – no zero hour contracts – unless people want). See our care agency jobs page.
Industry low wages are the biggest barrier to hiring and holding on to staff for 80 per cent of care agencies.
While the government promised social care reforms back in 2017, a pledged green paper has been delayed multiple times and still has not got a publication date. Meanwhile staff leave to work in better paid NHS roles or quit altogether.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Our green paper, published shortly, will look at long term sustainable solutions for the adult social care system including how we can recruit and retain a valued workforce.
“In the meantime there is huge demand for more care professionals and we need to spread the word that careers in adult social care can be hugely rewarding, varied and worthwhile.”
Read more about this topic in the Independent here.
About Deckchair Care
Deckchair Care are an independent, privately-owned care agency. We look after the elderly in Cheshire and South Manchester.
Read more about our care service
Thanks to ChatGPT for help creating and editing this article.
Deckchair Care are an independent, privately-owned care agency. We look after the elderly in Cheshire and South Manchester.
Read more about our care service
Thanks to ChatGPT for help creating and editing this article.