What The Fair Pay Agreement Means To Me
Written by Princess, A Member of The Care Worker Advisory Board and Champions Project.
I have worked as a care worker for over three years. Over that time, I have supported people
across many different settings: home care, residential homes, and units supporting those with
dementia, learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, and challenging behaviours. For
more than a year now, I have worked permanent night shifts. This is not just a job, it is skilled,
responsible work that makes a real difference to people’s lives. And as someone working under
sponsorship rules, the topic of fair pay means even more to me than just money. This is what the
Fair Pay Agreement means to me.
People often think care work is simply helping with daily tasks, but it is so much more. Today,
care workers are true clinical partners. With more complex care moving out of hospitals and into
community settings, we manage medication, spot early changes in health, support people
recovering from illness or surgery, and help them stay independent. We bring patience,
empathy, and observation every single shift, things no machine or artificial intelligence can ever
replace. We celebrate milestones like birthdays, listen to people’s stories, and build the trust
that makes good care possible.
But the work is also very demanding. It is physically hard: even with full training in moving and
handling, the long hours and physical effort take a toll, leading to back pain, leg strain, and longterm wear on the body. It is emotionally heavy, too. We often support people who aredistressed, confused, or lonely, and sometimes we face aggression, verbal abuse, or
disrespect. I have faced situations where I felt genuinely at risk, and like many colleagues, I have
gone home feeling drained or upset, but I return because I care about the people I support. We
often do the work of several people due to staffing pressures, and it can feel like we are always
giving without having enough left for ourselves.
Being on a Skilled Worker Visa means I am tied to my employer by visa rules. Unlike workers who
can freely change jobs if they are unhappy or find better pay elsewhere, my options are limited.
Leaving would risk my right to stay and build my life here, so I cannot easily walk away if
conditions are hard or unfair. This creates a unique pressure: I have to balance speaking up with
protecting my future. It also means fair pay is not just about extra income; it is about security.
Because I cannot easily move to earn more, being paid properly where I work is my only real
protection. I want to feel valued, not taken advantage of, because of my visa status.
When I look at what I earn compared to the responsibility, skill, and risk involved in my role, I feel
the pay does not truly reflect the value of what I do. We carry professional duties, we keep
people safe, and we support the whole health system, yet our pay does not always match that
level of responsibility.
To me, fair pay means being able to cover all my bills without constant
worry, put money aside for the future, and support my family. It means not choosing between
essentials, and feeling respected rather than feeling like my contribution is taken for granted. I
have definitely felt that care work is often undervalued: we are expected to bring so much
empathy and skill, but that is not always matched in what we receive or how we are treated.
From what I understand, the Fair Pay Agreement is designed to recognise care work as the
skilled profession it is, and to set fair, consistent pay across the whole sector, properly reflecting
the demands, risk, and responsibility of the job. For me personally, this would make a huge
difference. It would mean better financial stability, less stress, and finally feeling that my skills
and hard work are truly respected. For sponsored workers like me, it adds important protection:
it means I can be treated fairly even when I do not have the same freedom to change jobs as
others.
It would also help my colleagues and the people we care for. When care workers are paid fairly
and feel valued, they are less stressed and more able to give kind, consistent care. It makes
sense: if we are not supported and looked after, it is much harder for us to give our best to
others. It also helps keep experienced, caring staff in the role, so residents do not have to keep
getting used to new people.
It is also vital that the people making decisions in offices listen to those of us working on the
ground. Right now, it often feels like policies are made without really understanding what the job
is like day-to-day. People assume everything is fine, but they do not see the physical strain, the
emotional weight, or the risks we face. Those making decisions need to speak to us directly we
are the ones living this work, and we know what is needed to do it well.
Long term, I hope this agreement will change how care work is seen. I hope it becomes a career
that people are proud to choose one that offers fair pay, dignity, and security, rather than feeling
like you have to struggle just to get by. I hope it recognises that care work is a profession that
deserves respect, training, and proper reward, just like any other skilled role.
I want people reading this to understand that this is not just a job for me it is how I build my
future here, support my family, and contribute to society. Like everyone, I want to be treated
fairly for the hard work I do. Fair pay is not a favour; it is the right way to value the people who
care for others. Our work has great value, it is time that value is truly recognised