The Care Workers’ Charity (CWC) acknowledges the announcement of a Government commission on adult social care as a step toward addressing the sector’s challenges. However, the charity expresses concern over the extended timeline, with final recommendations not expected until 2028.
Karolina Gerlich, CEO of The Care Workers’ Charity, says “this commission could help address the systemic challenges facing the sector. However, with final recommendations not due until 2028, immediate action is essential to ensure care workers receive the support they need to stay in the jobs they love. We need decisive action now to ensure care workers are valued, supported, and fairly compensated for the vital roles they play.
The CWC has recently conducted a series of roundtables with its Care Worker Advisory Board and representatives from 40 sector organisations, focusing on key issues relating to the formation of a National Care Service (NCS). The discussions identified several critical themes:
- Sustainable Funding: While the NCS is a positive concept, it requires sustainable funding to succeed.
- Better Pay and Development: The NCS must include clear plans for improved pay, career progression, and access to training for care workers.
- Distinct Sector Identity: The NHS and NCS need to work collaboratively with improved referral pathways. However, social care must be recognised as a sector in its own right, not merely as an enabler for the NHS.
- Valuing Care: Broader societal discussions are needed to elevate the value placed on care—both for those who draw on care and for those who provide it.
The CWC will publish a detailed report in March, highlighting the findings from these discussions and offering vital insights into the lived experiences of care workers. We welcome the opportunity to share our findings and the voices of care workers with the commission. Their insights, alongside extensive sector expertise, must inform the future of social care reform.”