84% of MPs agree that care work is skilled work, so why isn’t this reflected in government policy? New research from the Homecare Association in conjunction with YouGov suggests that 91% of MPs and 85% of the general public agreed that careworkers make a positive difference to the people that they support.
However with homecare still facing the worst recruitment shortage in living memory, Government still has a long way to go to address the issues which face the sector.
The Homecare Association's YouGov survey suggests that 73% of MPs agreed that Government funding to train the social care workforce is as important as funding to train NHS staff. Yet, the £500 million over three years allocated to support the 1.5 million members of the social care workforce works out at little over £100 per worker per year, with minimal prospect of a pay rise for higher qualification levels due to chronically low fee rates from public sector commissioners.
In a survey of 843 Homecare Association members in August , 89% of providers said demand for their services had increased or significantly increased over the previous two months.
Now according to latest research, 65% of homecare providers are saying that more careworkers are leaving their jobs than before the pandemic. 95% are saying that recruitment is harder than before the pandemic, with 78% saying it is the hardest it has ever been.
Dr Jane Townson, CEO of the Homecare Assocation, commented:
This new research overwhelmingly shows that MPs and the general public appreciate the extraordinary lengths the social care workforce go to for their clients.
It is disappointing therefore that isn't reflected in Government policy. The Health and Social Care Levy barely scratches the surface for supporting the homecare workforce and will not help in the 'levelling up' that our PM and Government aspires to implement.
The Spending Review is a pivotal opportunity to support the homecare workforce. Homecare helps to enhance wellbeing, increase healthy life expectancy, reduce pressure on the NHS and save money for the health and care system.
Homecare needs recognition not rationing.
The Homecare Association continues to call on the government to:
- Fund social care adequately so that homecare workers are paid fairly for the skilled roles they perform, and at least on a par with equivalent public sector roles.
- End the practice of councils and the NHS of purchasing homecare “by-the-minute”, alternatively focusing on achieving the outcomes people want.
- Support development of an expert-led workforce strategy for social care and a 10-year workforce plan, aligned with the NHS People Plan.
- Consider adding careworkers to the Shortage Occupation List.
- Create a professional register for careworkers in England, covering all paid social care workers in both regulated and unregulated care services. Registration of careworkers needs to be adequately funded and carefully implemented.
Notes for Editors
1. The Homecare Association (formerly UKHCA) is the professional association for more than 2,300 domiciliary care providers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
2. As a member-led professional association, the Homecare Association's purpose is to enable a strong, sustainable, innovative and person-led homecare sector to flourish. We represent and support our members so that people can live well and independently at home. Our members agree to abide by the Association's Code of Practice, which can be found at Code of Practice (homecareassociation.org.uk)
3. For further information please contact:
Homecare Association Ltd
Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, SM6 7AH
Telephone: 020 8661 8165
Mobile: 07393 012 113
