Karolina Gerlich, CEO says “we are encouraged by the focus on the social care sector at the Liberal Democrat and Labour Party conferences, recognising the vital importance of the sector to millions of individuals and families across the UK. It is great to see the care system at the forefront of their political agendas.
Both Angela Rayner and Keir Starmer have highlighted the personal connections they have to the care sector, underscoring the human side of this issue. Angela Rayner has spoken about her experience as a former frontline care worker, and Keir Starmer his respect for his sister, who works in care. We agree that it is crucial that care workers, often undervalued and underpaid, receive the respect and recognition they deserve.
The Labour Party’s commitment to the formation of a National Care Service (NCS) and the introduction of a Fair Pay Agreement for care workers is a step in the right direction. This is a positive move toward addressing the longstanding issues of inadequate pay, poor working conditions, and the workforce crisis in the care sector. However, we urge the government to provide more detail on the implementation of these plans and to ensure that the voices of those on the ground— the care workforce, people drawing on social care, unpaid carers, and sector organisations—are central to shaping this future.
The Care Workers’ Charity calls on the government to build upon Skills for Care Workforce Strategy, a project in which we, alongside many other sector organisations, were heavily involved. This strategy should serve as a starting point, providing a framework for addressing the skills shortages, improving working conditions, and attracting new talent into the care sector.
The Care Workers’ Charity is ready to work with the government and all political parties to ensure that the care sector receives the support and investment it needs. As part of this work, we will be hosting a series of roundtable discussions on the formation of a National Care Service and a Fair Pay Agreement. Led by our newly-formed Care Worker Advisory Board, these discussions will explore the creation of a National Care Service (NCS) and a Fair Pay Agreement, bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders, including care workers, sector leaders, providers, suppliers, unpaid carers, and people who draw on social care. By working together, we can build a system that recognises the value of care workers and ensures high-quality care for everyone who needs it.”