Fair Pay Agreements are central to Regional Care Cooperatives

Fair pay agreements are an essential factor in the development of regional care cooperatives.

Pay has not been in the thinking thus far regarding Regional Care Cooperatives.

In March 2025 NCERCC signalled the need: Fair Pay for Residential Child Care Workers – Fair Pay Agreements – NCERCC

With trades unions representing children’s social care submitting their joint annual local government pay claim for 2026-27 the pay of the workforce must be of key importance in the planning of the regional care cooperative.

Involvement of the workforce representatives is urgent.

The pay claim for 2026-27 calls for an increase of at least £3,000 or 10% (whichever is greater) for all staff, as well as a minimum hourly rate of £15.

The £3,000 payment would apply pro-rata for part-time staff. Other measures in claim include a two-hour reduction in the working week, an extra day of leave.

Residential Child Care has been a low pay sector. Pay is a key factor in recruitment and retention.

Pay increases in previous years have been surpassed by inflation.

While the 2026-27 pay claim is for a one-year settlement, unions say employers should consider a multi-year deal, in keeping with a similar move in the way central government funds local authorities who have been told they will receive the first multi-year funding settlement in years to give them certainty over their finances.

The workforce needs to be included in the development of regional care cooperatives. To date it developments have been too narrow involving only local authorities and providers. Those who do the job need to be involved, they have important contributions to make.

There is the start of some thinking in regional care cooperatives about workforce development. This needs to be expanded to consider the workforce development and qualifications necessary to meet the needs of the children. Undoubtedly the budget for this will need to be substantially larger in recognition of the knowledge and skills of Residential Child Care Workers.