Care Review to point to new pay and professional status platform for Residential Child Care Workers
Pay
A test for the Care Review will be if it recommends that Residential Child Workers should have the same pay scales and terms and conditions no matter their employer.
Pay is one of the factors that will address the recruitment crisis affecting the supply of places. The sector is affected by the failure to attract and the turnover of staff.
The Care Review has had its focus on profits. From a Residential Child Care Workers perspective if large providers have their profits curbed or removed they remain subject to low pay.
Profits comes not from capital investment but from the work of Residential Child Care Workers.
It is notable that no provider or purchaser in the Care Review discussions has been speaking for increased pay and terms and conditions. There are exceptional providers who have already taken action on pay and terms and conditions.
On analysis it is evident that currently care work pays less than would be predicted by its skill level.
The Care Review has to answer the question, ‘Why do care workers earn less than those in similarly skilled jobs?’, and provide the leadership to end this situation
Profession
In other countries Residential Child Care has professional status and equal to social work, teaching, nursing
The understanding of the role and task of Residential Child Care in the public and professional consciousness is another factor that will address the recruitment crisis affecting the supply of places. The sector is affected by the failure to attract and the turnover of staff.
To address the current imbalance in children’s services
- Does it give residential child care profession status?
- Does it call for the establishing of a professional association and registration for all workers in Residential Child Care?
For the analysis download the NCERCC doc here >> Thinking about care work and the pay of care workers
