As a Support Worker, I have first-hand knowledge of the challenges faced by Care and Support Workers in the UK, including chronic underpayment, insufficient training and qualifications, and inadequate recognition and respect. Despite performing job roles similar to Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) on Band 3 in the NHS, Care and Support Workers are being paid significantly less and treated poorly. A recent study by Unfair To Care was reported by the BBC that Care and Support Workers in England are paid £8,000 less than their NHS counterparts, resulting in a staggering 41% pay g​ap. This is unacceptable.

Care and Support Workers provide essential health and social care services to the most vulnerable members of society. They form close bonds with the people they support and their families or carers, and they work tirelessly to ensure that those in need receive the best possible care. However, they are underappreciated and undervalued, and are not given fair compensation, entitlements, training and qualifications, recognition, and respect for the vital role they play in society. Despite poverty wages, they continue to do all they can to help the most vulnerable in society out of a sense of moral duty, as they know that their work is critical to improving the quality of life and wellbeing of people who use social care services.

Inaction by the government is resulting in severe consequences for those who rely on Care and Support Workers, as they are leaving for other jobs due to low pay, inadequate entitlements, and insufficient training and qualifications. This makes it challenging to provide the best care needed to the people who rely on their services the most. Additionally, as the government continues to cut funding for adult social care, local authorities are increasing council tax rates to fund these services. This puts a significant financial burden on local people who must pay more in council tax to fund adult social care, in addition to paying National Insurance Contributions (NIC). This situation is unsustainable, unfair, and increasing poverty among local people who themselves are struggling to make ends meet.

As a Support Worker, I demand that the UK government take immediate action to address the challenges facing Care and Support Workers with the following:

1. Establish a comprehensive Standard Employment Contract for Care and Support Workers. This should outline full sick pay, fixed contracted hours, pay for all hours on duty, and entitlements such as enhanced pay for overtime, bank holidays, as well as a fair ‘sleep in rate' and travel time pay. This would ensure fair compensation for their work, which is crucial for attracting and retaining skilled workers in the sector. Standardising the contract is also essential to prevent unfair treatment or exploitation by employers.
2. Establish a National Care Service for Social Care, similar to the NHS for Health. This is critical to provide sustainable funding for the sector and ensure that social care services receive central funding rather than relying on local authorities. This would alleviate the financial burden on local people and allow local authorities to allocate their funds towards improving local services and infrastructure. A National Care Service would also ensure consistency and standardisation in the provision of social care services throughout the UK.
3. Establish a National Care Body with a governing council comprising care providers, care commissioners, trade unions, and resident groups. This is essential to regulate the standards, training, and qualifications for the social care sector. This would ensure that the sector is well-regulated and that all Care and Support Workers receive good quality training and support. Such training and support are crucial for delivering high-quality care. Having a governing council with various stakeholders would ensure comprehensive standards, training, and qualifications that cater to the needs and perspectives of all those involved in the sector.
4. Implement Professional Registration as standard throughout the social care sector. This is vital to hold all Care and Support Workers to the same high standards of professionalism and competence. This is important to maintain public trust in social care services, which is crucial for the success of the sector. Professional registration would also ensure that all Care and Support Workers have the necessary qualifications and training to provide high-quality care. These demands are essential for ensuring that the critical Care and Support Workers receive the necessary resources, training, recognition, and respect they deserve to provide essential services to those in need.

With a heavy heart and a deep sense of desperation, frustration, and anger, I am writing this petition as a Support Worker. I have seen firsthand the sacrifices and hard work we put in to provide essential services to vulnerable individuals in our society. However, despite our vital role, we are often treated as second-class citizens compared to our NHS counterparts. We receive inadequate pay, poor-quality training, little to no support, and no recognition or respect for the vital work we do.

This situation cannot continue any longer. We have witnessed the public coming together time and time again to support the NHS, and we in Social Care require the same level of support. We demand equality and parity with NHS workers and call on Victoria Atkins (Secretary of State for Health and Social Care), Jeremy Hunt (Chancellor of the Exchequer), and Rishi Sunak (Prime Minister) to take immediate action to address these concerns and provide the necessary resources, training, and support to Care and Support Workers.

I urge you not only to sign but also to share and promote this petition and stand with us in solidarity. Together, we can amplify our voices and demand the long-overdue change we need.

Thank you for your support.