The Care Workers’ Charity (CWC) welcomes the release of the Government’s Adult Social Care Workforce Survey, which provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by those working in the sector. While this report has taken some time to be published, we are pleased to see these issues formally recognised and look forward to working with policymakers to ensure meaningful improvements for the workforce.
The findings highlight many of the key concerns that we and others in the sector have been raising for years, including:
- Low pay remains a significant issue, with two-thirds (67%) of care workers citing it as a reason for considering leaving the sector.
- Over half (52%) of care workers report worrying about work outside of working hours, illustrating the emotional demands of the role.
- Nearly half (49%) have experienced or witnessed physical violence in the workplace, demonstrating the urgent need for better protections and support.
The CWC’s Findings Show the Reality of the Workforce Crisis
These findings align closely with the early findings of our own Wellbeing Survey, designed to capture the real-life experiences, challenges, and needs of care workers.
Closing mid-March, we already have over 2000 and invite care workers across roles—whether you’re a care assistant, support worker, outreach worker, registered manager, assistant manager, or personal assistant—to participate in our Care Worker Wellbeing Survey, part of The Care Workers’ Charity’s Advisory Board and Champions Project.
Follow https://www.research.net/r/cwcmwbsurvey to find the survey. The survey should take 10–20 minutes to complete.
Words Must Lead to Action
The publication of this survey provides a timely opportunity for government, employers, and charities to work together to address the challenges it outlines. We want to collaborate with policymakers and sector leaders to develop solutions that will support and sustain the workforce.
At CWC, we are already taking action to improve the lives of care workers through:
- Crisis grants for those facing financial hardship.
- Mental health and wellbeing support tailored to the needs of care workers.
- Advocacy and campaigning to ensure care workers’ voices are heard in policy discussions.
We look forward to seeing how this data informs future workforce strategies and welcome discussions on how we can support efforts to improve the working lives of those in social care. Together, we can create a stronger, more sustainable future for the sector.
Link to report: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-social-care-asc-workforce-and-work-related-quality-of-life