According to the BBC, Labour plans to limit the hiring of foreign workers in the care sector if companies don't invest in training their own workforce.
The Homecare Association has always advocated for investment in care experts, whether recruited from the UK or overseas. This includes pay and terms and conditions of employment, as well as training and career development. Evidence from Skills for Care shows that retention of care teams improves when wages are higher and they are well-trained.
In homecare, public bodies like councils and the NHS purchase 70 percent of homecare hours. On average, staff costs make up 70 percent of every hour of homecare delivered. Investment in wages and training thus depends on the fee rates public bodies offer to homecare providers. Central government funding for councils and the NHS determines the budget they have available for social care. These budgets are under severe pressure and we are seeing a race to the bottom on price.
Our research shows only 5 percent of public bodies are paying enough for compliance with the legal minimum wage, never mind covering the cost of training.
If the UK elects a Labour government and it wants to improve conditions for workers in the care sector, it must recognise which levers to pull.
The first is to ensure adequate central government investment in social care. The funding must be ring-fenced so councils and the NHS spend it on social care, not potholes.
The government needs either to set a minimum national tariff for homecare or pass a law that makes public bodies cover the full cost of homecare services.
This then creates the conditions for providers to pay fair wages, train care experts well, and ensure safe, high-quality care. Regulators must take swift action against providers that do not comply.
Commenting on the report, CEO of the Homecare Association, Dr Jane Townson OBE, said:
"The Homecare Association strongly supports fair wages and training for care workers. Central government must provide enough funding for homecare so providers can invest in their care teams.
"A new government must also ensure commissioners and regulators can prioritise ethical good-quality providers. Right now, council budget pressures and cost-cutting are favouring cheaper, unscrupulous providers. Severe government under-funding of care risks creating the conditions for labour abuse and modern slavery."
ENDS
Contacts
Ella Owens, Policy Specialist – External Affairs
Email - [email protected]
Mobile number - 07393 012 113
Notes to editors
- The Homecare Association is the UK's membership body for homecare providers, with over 2,200 members nationally. Our mission is to ensure that homecare receives the investment it deserves, so all of us can live well at home and flourish within our communities. The Homecare Association acts as a trusted voice, taking a lead in shaping homecare, in collaboration with partners across the care sector. It also provides hands-on support and practical tools for its members. The Homecare Association's members agree to abide by the Association's Code of Practice.
