The government will soon be reaching out to unions and staff about the country’s ‘first ever fair pay agreement’ for care professionals, a minister has confirmed.
Care minister Stephen Kinnock has this week written to local authorities and adult social care services to outline the ‘critical actions’ needed across the sector to support ‘operational resilience’ this winter.
As part of this, he recognised the ‘ongoing workforce challenges’ faced by adult social care services, and said the government was committed to working with the sector to ‘tackle these challenges together’.
‘Care workers deserve to be recognised and supported for the important work they do,’ said Mr Kinnock.
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‘They are essential to those who draw on care and support, helping them maintain their quality of life, independence and connection to the things that matter to them.’
While hoping to improve domestic and international recruitment and retention, Mr Kinnock reiterated the government’s manifesto pledge for a ‘fair pay agreement’ for those working in the sector.
‘Looking beyond this winter, we will engage with the sector including workers and trade unions over establishing the first ever fair pay agreement for care professionals,’ he said.
‘We will shortly be reaching out to sector partners about this and look forward to engaging with local government representatives and drawing on the wealth of expertise within local authorities to help shape these landmark reforms.’
Mr Kinnock also said he looked forward to working with the sector ‘as we embark upon an ambitious long-term programme of reform with a view to creating a National Care Service’.
His letter outlined the government’s key principles for the sector ahead of the winter period, including:
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- a ‘home first’ approach that supports people to live independently for as long as possible
- a relentless focus on ensuring high-quality care
- close involvement of people receiving care and their families and carers
Mr Kinnock added: ‘Close partnership working and joint planning between adult social care, the NHS and other community partners is vital to the successful delivery of these priorities.’
Alongside workforce, other priorities for the winter included that it was ‘essential’ for local health and care systems to continue to support individuals providing care for their family and friends.
In addition, he pointed to a letter from NHS England which focused on the need to prevent avoidable hospital admissions and support timely discharge over the winter period.
Local authorities were also asked to ensure ‘good business continuity plans are in place for a range of risks in the winter period which could affect adult social care provision’, including preparations for the potential implications of severe winter weather.
In closing, Mr Kinnock said: ‘I would like to express my thanks for your work to drive improvement in local services and better meet the needs of people who draw on care and support, particularly in the context of the financial challenges that I know local authorities continue to face. I look forward to working with you in future.’
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In the run up to this year’s general election, the Labour Party pledged for both a fair pay agreement for the sector and the introduction of a National Care Service.
Speaking at a Medical Journalists Association (MJA) event at in June, now health secretary Wes Streeting said social care should be ‘regarded as a profession’ and that those working within the sector must be ‘respected as professionals’.
