Care Workers Are Undervalued And Underpaid, According To New Research
The majority of adults in England overwhelmingly believe care workers are undervalued (81%) and should be paid better (80%), according to new research.
The online poll carried out by the National Care Forum – the voice of not-for-profit social care providers – also finds that three quarters (74%) believe care home staff do a brilliant job.
There are almost 1.5 million care workers in England, contributing to one of the largest workforces, and caring for some of the most vulnerable people in society.
The research findings are released to mark Professional Care Worker’s Week, which starts today [1st September] and acknowledges the fantastic work that care workers do, largely unrecognised and unrewarded. National Care Forum’s ‘Here to Care’ campaign shines a light on the incredible work being done in care settings, in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
Vic Rayner, Executive Director at National Care Forum, says:
“Care workers have been the stalwarts of the Covid-19 front line. 24 hours a day, seven days a week our professional care home staff have continued to provide care under the most challenging of circumstance. They have done this with compassion, providing a lifeline for the most vulnerable across all our communities.
“It feels very timely to have a week dedicated to recognising the efforts of care workers and acknowledging the extraordinary work they do. Together we have clapped for our NHS, and our carers have been included in that outpouring of public gratitude. It’s great to see society recognise them for their invaluable contribution – it’s time that Government does too, and that they are rewarded adequately.”
Karolina Gerlich, Executive Director at The Care Workers’ Charity, the organisation behind Professional Care Worker’s Week, says:
“Professional Care Worker’s Week is an opportunity to demonstrate the best that social care has to offer. Care and support workers have a challenging and rewarding job that is different every day and over the past months care workers have shown how exceptional they are. During a period of global uncertainty, the most vulnerable members of our society have been cared for in care settings, supported living facilities and in their own homes, by care staff. They have overcome the challenges of the pandemic with integrity and resilience.”
Sally Gregory is Home Manager at Guys Court Residential and Nursing Home in Fleetwood, part of Sanctuary Care. She says:
“It’s lovely to have a week to celebrate all the great work teams like mine do every single day. This year has been tougher than I ever thought possible – for three months during lockdown I, like so many others, moved into the home to provide 24/7 love, care and support for residents and other colleagues. There are thousands of care workers who went above and beyond like that, and it is only right we thank them.
“It hasn’t changed how I feel about my job: I love what I do, it is extremely rewarding – I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Take part in Professional Care Worker’s Week (1-4th September) and recognise the dedication, hard work and resilience care workers bring to their important and essential role as caregivers by tweeting your appreciation of care workers using the hashtags #PCWWeek20, #R&R and #HereToCare.
