Commenting on new measures announced by the government to encourage recruitment and retention in adult social care, including qualifications and training, UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said today (Wednesday):
“A national career structure for care workers and recognised qualifications are long overdue.
“But any attempt to fix the social care staffing crisis will be fatally undermined unless the government delivers the investment and reform that’s desperately needed. Otherwise, it’s like putting a shiny new wing mirror on a car with a broken engine.
“What’s required is a significant hike in pay or staff will continue to leave in droves. Retail and hospitality pay much more with far less pressure.
“Ministers must also tackle rogue employers who drive down conditions for care workers, leading to the highest vacancy rates in the UK economy.
“These changes are hardly the plan to fix social care that was promised four and a half years ago. What’s needed is the proper reform that can only come from a national care service.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
The article Care changes are a start but won’t solve staffing crisis first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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