Care workers are undervalued and underpaid

The majority of adults in England overwhelmingly believe care workers are undervalued and underpaid, research by the National Care Forum finds (NCF). 

There are almost 1.5m care workers in England, contributing to one of the largest workforces, and caring for some of the most vulnerable people in society.

The online poll carried out by the NCF, the voice of not-for-profit social care providers, finds that three quarters (74%) of adults believe care home staff do a brilliant job, are undervalued (81%) and should be paid better (80%).

NCF released the findings to mark Professional Care Worker’s Week, which runs from September 1 – 4 and acknowledges the fantastic work that care workers do. National Care Forum’s ‘Here to Care’ campaign shines a light on the incredible work being done in care settings, in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

Vic Rayner, executive director at National Care Forum, said: ‘Care workers have been the stalwarts of the Covid-19 front line.

’24 hours a day, seven days a week our professional care home staff have continued to provide care under the most challenging of circumstance. They have done this with compassion, providing a lifeline for the most vulnerable across all our communities.

‘It feels very timely to have a week dedicated to recognising the efforts of care workers and acknowledging the extraordinary work they do.

‘Together we have clapped for our NHS, and our carers have been included in that outpouring of public gratitude. It’s great to see society recognise them for their invaluable contribution, it’s time that the government does too and that they are rewarded adequately.’

Sally Gregory, home manager at Guys Court Residential and Nursing Home in Fleetwood said: ‘It’s lovely to have a week to celebrate all the great work teams like mine do every single day.

‘This year has been tougher than I ever thought possible, for three months during lockdown I, like so many others, moved into the home to provide 24/7 love, care and support for residents and other colleagues.

‘There are thousands of care workers who went above and beyond like that, and it is only right we thank them.

‘It hasn’t changed how I feel about my job: I love what I do, it is extremely rewarding, I can’t imagine doing anything else.’

Take part in Professional Care Worker’s Week and recognise the dedication, hard work and resilience care workers bring to their important and essential role as caregivers by tweeting your appreciation of care workers using the hashtags #PCWWeek20, #R&R and #HereToCare.

Photo Credit – Pixabay