Page 66 - Unfair To Care 2024 - Who Cares Wins

SECTION 9: THE CALL FOR GOVERNMENT ACTION
9.
THE CALL FOR GOVERNMENT ACTION
Government investment in fair pay to achieve the ‘Social Care Triple Win’ will address the funding gap between local authority fee levels and provider care costs, but crucially, this investment will bring clear and substantial economic growth and productivity, cost-effective and sustainable care and health services, better lives for those receiving care, and fair pay for those providing it.
A THREE-STAGE JOURNEY TO FAIR PAY IN SOCIAL CARE.
1. IMMEDIATE 2. WITHIN12 3. WITHINTHE ACTION MONTHS LIFETIME OF THE
NEXT PARLIAMENT
This report is not ignorant of the current financial pressures that will face this or any future government. But it is essential to understand
that fair pay for frontline care and support workers should be as seen by the Government and opposition parties as an investment, not a cost.
Fair pay investment not only delivers better and more equitable care, but also leads to substantial financial efficiencies and productivity across the health and social care landscape. It adds significant economic value and growth to local communities and the country as a whole.
Whilst the case for investing in pay is strong, this report recognises that this may require phased implementation to build the capacity for this investment. It should be informed by five key design principles:
1) The aim of achieving ‘Total Pay’ parity for frontline care and support workers with their equivalents in the NHS
2) Government investment to fund a minimum level of fair pay for frontline care and support workers
3) A robust job evaluation mechanism to underpin a national pay scale linked to a career path for social care staff
4) Flexibility for care providers to best plan and organise their workforce within national minimum entitlements for care and support workers
5) A workforce development plan to address current and future demand for care staff in different roles and at every level
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