It’s a family affair!
Residents from Bernard Sunley, the residential, nursing and dementia care home in Woking, Surrey and clients from the Woking Day Care Service which are both run by charity Friends of the Elderly, have been going head to head in their monthly family affair cup game of Family Fortunes. Each month, the care teams recreate the iconic family TV game show for the residents and clients to enjoy. It has become quite competitive as the teams work together to correctly answer as many of the open-ended survey questions as possible, with the winning team taking the coveted Challenge Cup. “The Challenge Cup goes to the monthly winning team – either the Bernard Sunley Residents or the Woking Day Care Clients,” said Monika Ahmed, one of the Activity Coordinators at the care home. “The monthly Family Fortunes Challenge Cup is now one of the must do activities on the calendar. The games are always highly spirited and great fun, especially when the acting compare says the legendary words ‘Our Survey Said….’, there’s always a resounding ‘Uh-Uh’ like the famous TV computerised sound when wrong answers are given. It has everyone giggling.” “We have slightly adapted the traditional game, so our two teams – Bernard Sunley and Woking Day Care – do not have to stand up in turn and answer a question, it’s the first team to shout out an answer,” said Fran Simpson, the Manager at Woking Day Care. “The questions are the same as the TV show with our teams having to guess the results of open-ended survey questions which 100 people have been asked. Such as ‘We asked 100 people to name a sport played with a ball’, or ‘We asked 100 people to name a breed of dog’,” added Ewelina Wagner, one of the Activities Coordinators at Bernard Sunley. The much loved television family game show originally aired from 1980 to 2002 on ITV. It was hosted by Bob Monkhouse from 1980 to 1983 and later in 1983, by Max Bygraves, who hosted the show until 1985. When Family Fortunes came back in 1987, it was hosted by Les Dennis until 2002. A celebrity version followed from 2006 to 2015 with Gino D’Acampo taking over as host when the programme returned to the television in 2020. “The Family Fortunes Challenge is actually a great reminiscing activity for the clients and residents,” continued Fran. “The residents and clients remember the original Family Fortunes with much affection and often natter about Bob Monkhouse, Max Bygraves and Les Dennis and the other shows they remember them hosting like the Golden Shot, Celebrity Squares, Russ Abbott’s Mad House and The Laughter Show.” Monika, Ewelina and Fran create a wide and varied range of meaningful activities for the residents and clients at Bernard Sunley Care Home and Woking Day Care to take part in. “We are all focused on enhancing the residents’ and clients’ days with interesting, engaging, inclusive and person-centred activities,” continued Monika. “The activities we run are varied and tailored to the residents’ and clients’ individual likes, preferences, favourite pastimes and hobbies. We all try to ensure that there is something for everyone to take part in and enjoy.” At Bernard Sunley, in addition to the monthly Family Fortunes Challenge Cup, the activities include a Boules Club, quizzes, Scrabble Club, arts and crafts sessions, exercise classes, Dominoes, Bingo, food tasting, Cooking Club, card games, musical entertainment, themed afternoons, afternoon teas and movie nights. “We also have individual or group games on our large interactive ‘Rainbow’ tablet screen and the very popular interactive armchair travel around the world trips, which take place in the HMS Bernard Sunley Cruise Lounge,” added Ewelina. Friends of the Elderly’s Woking Day Care Service cares for and supports older people who are living with dementia and a range of age-related conditions and Fran works hard to give clients a great day, every day, despite them living with dementia. “In addition to all our meaningful, interactive and inclusive activities, I also host the monthly ‘Have Your Say’ session,” continued Fran. “This is a great way for clients and their families to give feedback on how they think the activities at the day care centre have gone, what they think worked, what they enjoyed, what they want to see more of and what they feel didn’t work. “This constructive feedback has enabled me to introduce a number of new initiatives such as our Afternoon Walking Club and a Past Histories Game which is tailored to the non-verbal clients or clients who find it hard to converse.” “The monthly Family Fortunes Challenge Cup gets everyone animated and enthused,” added Monika. “Ewelina, Fran and I take it in turns as Games Master or Compare, and it is truly wonderful to see each client and resident engaged and enjoying the competition.” Currently, the Bernard Sunley Team is on top of the Challenge Cup leaderboard. “The Woking Day Care Team is ready for the next game,” said Fran. “They are really looking forward to taking part and are full of fun, competition fighting talk.” “The Bernard Sunley Team won’t sit on their laurels. They don’t want to hand over the Challenge Cup. Roll on the next game and may the best team win,” concluded a smiling Monika. Every day, Monika, Ewelina and Fran make sure they have activities tailored to what each resident or client wants to do, when they want to do it. https://www.fote.org.uk/
Improving care for older people worldwide
A leading expert in health and social care for older people from Northumbria University has shared his views on what could be done to improve care for older people at a special event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Peter Lloyd Sherlock, Professor of Gerontology and Global Health is a leading authority on public policy for older people in Latin America, Asia and Africa. Having previously held positions at the World Health Organization and the UK Department for International Development, he was invited to speak at the United Nations at an event bringing together experts to discuss policies, legislations and practices that strengthen care and support systems for older people worldwide. Professor Lloyd-Sherlock used his presentation to stress the urgency for societies and governments to start taking robust and concerted measures to meet older people’s health and care needs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Highlighting the issues individuals, families and healthcare systems face as society ages, Professor Lloyd-Sherlock called on governments worldwide to act quickly to address the issue. He explained: “In many low and middle-income countries the numbers of older people will nearly treble over the next generation. As somebody from a high-income country, I’m often told these families will continue to provide for the health and care needs of all their old and young, but this cannot be an excuse for government inaction. “Growing numbers of family carers, mainly women, are left to shoulder ever growing burdens of care responsibility without support from the state. Governments must stop denying that this is just a family issue; a private responsibility without any need for public action on a grand scale.” He called on governments and the private sector to do more to promote healthy ageing. “I am keen to avoid language around the “problem” of ageing as this can promote ageism and negative attitudes towards later life, but on the other hand, the danger of complacency is very great,” he said. “Generally, the health of older populations is not improving, especially for the poor, yet there are many simple and affordable things that could be implemented now which could make a big difference in averting unnecessary suffering and increasingly overwhelmed health and social care systems. We must not deny the massive scale of the consequences of not taking action now.” Professor Lloyd-Sherlock, who is based in Northumbria’s Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, travelled to the United Nations event direct from Brazil, where he has been evaluating a pioneering community-based care programme which has had a significant impact on individuals. Programa Maior Cuidado provides trained family care support to people living in the country’s poorest and most vulnerable neighbourhoods. Initially launched in the city of Belo Horizonte, the programme has proven to be highly effective, with strong evidence that it improves the quality of life for older people and their family carers and also reduces unnecessary hospitals stays. The results have been so positive that politicians have announced that the scheme is being scaled up across Brazil. He praised the impact of the scheme, saying: “there are many things we can do which are often quite simple and affordable, but they can make a big difference. Inspiring actions already being taken by some countries, as we see in Brazil, for example, provide evidence and guidance about what can and, perhaps more importantly, must be done on a far greater scale. “If proper action is not taken soon enough then achieving health for all will remain an impossible dream, as will many of the other UN SDG targets,” he warned. The full United Nations Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide event is available to view on UN Web TV. Professor Lloyd-Sherlock’s presentation can be viewed from just after two hours into the session at 02:01:15. Northumbria University is dedicated to reducing health and social inequalities, contributing to the regional and national workforce and improving social, economic and health outcomes for the most marginalised in society. Through its new Centre for Health and Social Equity, known as CHASE, the University will bring together researchers who are working to deliver world-leading health and social equity research and creating innovative, evidence-based policies and data-driven solutions to bring impactful change across the region, the UK and globally. Its aim is to develop and harness Northumbria’s research, education and knowledge exchange expertise to help meet the health and social needs of multiple stakeholders and communities in the city, region and beyond.
Devon care home group wins outstanding care credentials
The Southern Healthcare family of four care homes in Devon care home group, has become the first group in the country to have achieved four outstanding accreditations for dementia care from a highly regarded organisation which specialises in auditing the care industry. Southern Healthcare, which owns award-winning homes in Devon care home group in, Exeter, Plymouth, Dawlish, and Seaton, has won the accolade for its Butterfly and Dragonfly programmes from Meaningful Care Matters. Meaningful Care Matters Auditors Sally Knocker and Nancy Cunningham said: “To achieve the highest level of Butterfly and Dragonfly accreditation, all four homes demonstrated a whole team approach to making each moment matter for every individual. As one of their activity coordinators said, “We could make the opening of a bag of crisps a big thing here!” ” Founded in 2019, MCM aims to change the culture of care by ensuring people have purpose, are empowered to be themselves and have meaningful relationships within their care setting. MCM rate care providers on the care environment, the individual care plans (including the use of medication) and the meaningful relationships between staff and residents. Those care providers who demonstrate a high number of meaningful interactions against a long list of criteria, are awarded the status of a Butterfly Home. The auditors went on to say: “The homes have perfected the art of creating a true sense of home and family, where no one gets forgotten, and the environment is full of pictures, objects and items linked to people’s life stories and interests. Meaningful Care Matters is proud to partner with Southern Healthcare in celebrating that people in care homes can be ‘Free to be Me’ and do still live a good life supported by a fantastic team.” The Dragonfly programme has several key features including creating a high-quality person-centred care environment that has a sense of home, where staff do not wear uniforms and are comfortable with being in the company of residents (rather than merely performing tasks for them). Activities are organically integrated into all parts of the day and all team members play a role (including housekeeping, food services and maintenance). Families, children, and animals are welcome as informal and regular visitors, not just for special occasions. Geoffrey Cox, the Managing Director of Southern Healthcare, said: “A Level 1 Outstanding rating from Meaningful Care Matters is an amazing outcome. I feel very humbled to hear the auditors speaking of witnessing the huge love our teams feel for the people they support and how much they care. This is a testament not only to the quality of the skills and knowledge of the people in our team, but also to their compassion, heart, and meaningful connection to the people they are caring for. https://www.southernhealthcare.co.uk/why-choose-us/
Honorary guest at Oswestry Rugby Club
A 91-year-old resident at HC-One’s Bluebell View care home, in Oswestry, Shropshire, has relived his former rugby playing years with a tour around Oswestry Rugby Club. Don Whyte, who lives at HC-One’s Bluebell View care home, played hooker for a number of clubs including Waterloo in the early 1950s. Don also represented the British Army in 1948 and 1949. During his working days, Don worked in the British Army Royal Tank Corps as a driving instructor for the Centurian Tanks. Despite hanging up his boots in 1960, Don has always maintained his love for the sport of rugby. Don was delighted after Oswestry rugby club Honorary Secretary, Liz Johnson, invited him to visit the club and watch a match as guest of honour. Don, accompanied by Bluebell View Wellbeing Coordinator Bev Sterry, was given a special guided tour of the club by former club president and senior club member Martin Ord. After looking around the clubhouse and grounds, Don and Martin watched a charity match and Don reminisced through his rugby memories. He talked about the role of hooker within the rugby team and recounted his experiences whilst involved in the dark arts of the scrum. Don was keen to pass on his words of advice to some the young players, as he said: “They’ve still got a long way to go!” Speaking about the trip, Bluebell View Wellbeing Coordinator Bev Sterry said: “We had a wonderful visit and Don absolutely loved it. He’s been telling everyone he’s the new coach! “We want to pass on our thanks to everyone at Oswestry RFC, and especially Liz and Martin. They really did help make a wish come true for Don.” https://www.hc-one.co.uk/carehomes/bluebell-view
Registered Managers are contributing to nursing education.
Running a residential care home is a complicated and specialised occupation – as the COVID pandemic brought to the fore in painful clarity. However, Registered Managers’ skills have to date been largely unrecognised in what they could contribute to nursing education. In my role as Clinical practice Lead at the University of Exeter’s Academy of Nursing, I have led on a project to utilise this extraordinary skillset and experience in expanding the educational horizons of students on our pioneering MSci Nursing programme. My own 35-year career working in or with social care included the harrowing experience of managing a care home through the COVID pandemic. This crisis magnified the lack of staff, the chronic funding issues and the lack of regard for social care, and I now want to help make a difference by expanding our student nurse placement opportunities into social care, including domiciliary care, residential care, supported living and nursing home care. There is research on the immense benefits social care holds for our students including where settings do not have registered nurses to supervise the students. Last year, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) updated their guidance on students’ supervision during clinical placements to include Registered Managers of social care settings who are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This represents an important step in recognising the work and expertise of Registered Managers by the NMC (NMC, 2024). At Exeter we are among the first to work with Registered Managers in supervising student placements. I believe that starting at the beginning, with our nurse leaders of the future, we have a chance to raise the profile of social care and can play a small part in the larger picture, ensuring a functioning integrated health and social care system. Skills for Care recognise the value of this type of placement experience, stating that this will ensure a future nursing profession that has the skills and experience to work across a system (Skills for Care, 2024). We’re proud to be leading this innovation at Exeter, where our four-year MSci dual adult/mental health programme was founded in 2019. It’s just one of the ways we progress our curriculum foundation based on our seven pillars of nursing. Exeter nursing students have a diverse range of practice experiences, not only within the acute trusts but also with the Private Voluntary and Independent Sector. Last year, for the first time, Registered Managers of care homes became Practice Supervisors on student placements in residential care home settings where nurses are not employed. The initial phase involved two second year students undertaking a two-week placement focusing on the link between the GP practice and the social care setting in the same Primary Care Network (PCN). This initial pilot demonstrated sound understanding of the benefits of interprofessional learning, and a clearer comprehension of person-centred care. Indirect supervision was provided by Registered Nurses from the Academy of Nursing. In the second phase, five second year students took up placements in five residential care home settings for two weeks, from a GP practice or hospital setting. The Registered Manager acted as the students’ Practice Supervisor. This project aimed to test the learning experiences of the student nurse in a social care setting with no registered nurses, and therefore explore the role of the non-nurse CQC Registered Manager in the Practice Supervisor role, and to introduce concepts of interprofessional learning in health and social care. To evaluate the project, we interviewed students and Registered Managers, gathered feedback questionnaires and held a Registered Managers focus group meeting. Students also kept reflective diaries. We found that students were exposed to and included in many interprofessional activities and practice. They got to explore effective communication skills with residents and understand the roles and responsibilities of various team members and professionals supporting the service. They got hands-on experience of the vital importance of building therapeutic relationships with people living in social care settings was learnt in a professional complex environment. One student told us: ‘’It made me realise how people with learning disabilities can have a lot of additional needs that go unmet in hospital settings’’. They gained a broader understanding of the healthcare system in a social care context by following residents’ complex health trajectories, appreciating how services outside of the NHS provide care in the community Registered Managers interviews and questionnaires showed the positive influence of supervising the student nurse during their placement. Care staff learnt from the student nurse and Registered Managers improved their confidence in supervising students. They increased awareness for care staff progression into nursing and found the proficiencies easy to read and identify relevance to the social care setting. They did not feel it was too time consuming, and overall enjoyed the experience, but felt a longer placement would be more beneficial. In the words of one manager: “[the student] worked well within the team and we felt she learned from the team, medication round, wound care, catheter care, stoma care, handover meetings, the student nurse was keen and enthusiastic which really supported all our learning.’’ Exeter student nurses learnt to analyse complex healthcare situations from different angles, fostering critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. This comprehensive approach enabled the students to provide better care by addressing the physical, psychological, social and cultural aspects of health and social care. The non-nurse Registered Manager as the Practice Supervisor demonstrated that this role is within their competence and experience and opens opportunities for further utilisations of these skilled social care professionals for placement expansion into this often miss-represented sector. Lastly, the students’ perception of social care was changed, and this can support and help to tackle the stigma around this pathway career across nursing. This educational project provided sound feedback of how interprofessional learning in nursing education prepares future nurses for effective collaboration, enhances their critical thinking and communication skills, and promotes person-centered care. It reinforced the value of social care placements, replicating the feedback from other educational projects and research. It confirmed that non-nurse Registered
Brunelcare’s Deerhurst Care Home receives national award
Brunelcare’s Deerhurst Care Home has been awarded a national Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Quality Hallmark Award in recognition of the excellent end of life care it provides. Deerhurst received the award at the GSF annual conference and awards ceremony on Friday 27th September at BMA House in London – a celebration of the UK’s exceptional health and social care providers for care in the final year of life. Deerhurst Care Home is one of five Brunelcare care homes offering dementia and respite care, and has been awarded national award for the third year in a row. Alongside this incredible achievement, Deerhurst Care Home is also rated as an Outstanding care home by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Deerhurst was just one of 140 organisations from across the country receiving the award in London, with only 98 care homes nationwide taking home the accolade. Jocelyn Caballero, Deputy Manager at Brunelcare’s Deerhurst Care Home, said: “GSF has enhanced our knowledge, skills and confidence in providing end of life care, and improved our relationship and communication with GPs and other healthcare professionals. As we continue our journey with GSF, our staff feel empowered and involved, and are able to participate more. We are proud and humbled that our commitment, dedication and development over the last seven years has been acknowledged by the clinical associate who nominated us for the Care Home of the Year (CHOY) Award.” Julie Armstrong-Wilson, Chief Operating Officer for GSF said: “Congratulations to all the organisations who have successfully achieved accreditation and received the Quality Hallmark Award this year. The standard of care and compassionate cultures that have been observed is truly inspiring, showing a commitment to ensuring people receive the right care at the right time which has a positive impact on the people cared for and their families. Listening to what matters most to each and every individual and providing care in accordance with their goals, wishes and preferences is the Gold Standard and these organisations are delivering it.. A huge well done to you all!” To find out more about the Gold Standards Framework, visit https://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/
Cera launches coalition to get Britain Back to Work
Cera, the UK’s largest HealthTech company, is spearheading a drive to create jobs for thousands of economically inactive and unemployed working-age adults – arming them with vital tech and digital skills to build the digitally empowered healthcare workforce of the future. Britain’s 9.4 million ‘missing workers’, could help to rebuild our struggling health and social care sectors, thanks to a new cross-industry coalition to tackle economic inactivity. Health and social care will need approximately 1 million new workers within the next 15 years to support a rapidly ageing population, with half a million new workers needed in social care alone. To plug this gap, Cera is setting an ambitious target for 10% of new recruits to its almost 10,000-strong workforce over the coming 12 months to be people returning to the workforce after a period of economic inactivity. The company already has a strong track record in recruiting, training and retaining candidates from diverse backgrounds. 25% of Cera recruits over the past quarter were previously unemployed, and more than 5% are living with a disability – twice the industry average. Cera’s coalition will build on this success, bringing together leading organisations including Skills for Care, People Plus, Maximus, Beam and hundreds of local partners, as well as Government schemes including Restart and the Work and Health Programme (WHP). Together, the coalition will identify suitable candidates, and give them the practical and emotional support they need to get started in a new career in home healthcare. As well as digital skills, Cera will arm these recruits with comprehensive support to make coming back to work easier – from mental health and wellbeing support, to menopause care, and help and resources for employees who care for children or elderly relatives. The tech firm will also create mobility schemes to help people travel for work, offering them subsidised driving lessons, car insurance, or cycling and eBike schemes. Dr Ben Maruthappu, Founder & CEO of Cera, said: “Tackling economic inactivity and rebuilding our vital health & care system are two of the biggest challenges facing our government. “This innovative coalition is a true sector first, marking a collective commitment to solving these challenges. Not only will we help thousands of economically inactive people into meaningful new careers; we will also equip them with vital tech and digital skills, building the digitally empowered healthcare workforce of the future, and supporting our health and care system at a time it needs it most.” Oonagh Smyth, CEO of Skills for Care, said: “The 131,000 vacancies in social care on any given day are 131,000 opportunities for people to start fulfilling careers in the sector. Cera’s important and innovative work supports the ambitions of the Workforce Strategy for adult social care that we launched in July, so we’re delighted to partner with them to attract thousands of new recruits out of unemployment and into a career in home healthcare, boosting the economy and contributing to the future of this vital sector.” https://www.cerahq.com
Bluebird Care Raises Over £50,000 for Dementia
The national home care provider announced the incredible donation at their annual conference last week, marking their latest move in supporting dementia care in the UK. Bluebird Care, the UK’s leading national home care and live-in care provider, has raised an incredible £51,239 for Alzheimer’s Society in just four months. Teams from across the provider’s 220 franchise businesses completed sponsored challenges to reach the total donation – including marathon running, hikes, community events, and even a few skydives. The enormous efforts are part of Bluebird Care’s national fundraising partnership with Alzheimer’s Society, announced at a launch event in May. At that partnership launch event, Bluebird Care representatives together with Alzheimer’s Society and Dame Arlene Phillips signed a pledge to commit to becoming the leading provider of specialist dementia care at home in the UK. The dementia pledge has been a key part of the organisation’s fundraising mission as it has been taken on a huge relay race across the country from Cornwall to Aberdeen. Each Bluebird Care franchise team along the route signed and carried the printed pledge to the next stop on its tour by any means necessary to represent the part they will play in achieving Bluebird Care’s dementia mission. Amongst hundreds of other activities, the pledge relay saw Hugo Mills and son Seb row the Solent in heavy rain, Jonathan Billington run three marathons in three days (from Elmbridge to South Wiltshire), and the Bluebird Care Chesterfield and Northeast Derbyshire team cycle 23 miles to hand the pledge to the Mansfield and Ashfield team. Meanwhile, Jay Ghaghda from Bluebird Care Leicester, Andi Toone and Toni Scott Adams in Worcestershire and Anna Warchol in Northumberland all took the challenge to the skies with sponsored skydives. The incredible donation total was unveiled at the care provider’s national conference last week by Bluebird Care’s official Celebrity Champion Dame Arlene Phillips DBE and Paul Reynolds, Associate Director of Partnerships at Alzheimer’s Society. Paul told the crowd of Bluebird Care team members that the amount they have raised can fund a PhD student for 22 months to conduct vital research, or fund over 8,400 calls to the charity’s dedicated national dementia helpline. The charity donation is only part of Bluebird Care’s commitment to becoming the UK’s leading specialist of dementia care in the home. They are also training every one of their 10,000-strong team to be Dementia Friends and rolling out bespoke specialist dementia training with Alzheimer’s Society. The training will empower their Care Professionals across the country to recognise and treat the earliest signs of dementia, giving people and families the chance to remain in the comfort of their own home for longer as they age. Jonathan Gardner, Chief Executive Officer, Bluebird Care, said: “I am immensely proud of our teams right across the country for going out with passion, drive, and – in many cases – real courage to raise such an incredible amount for Alzheimer’s Society. “We know that over 60% of our customers live with dementia. There’s no doubt that good dementia care starts at home, and so we’re proud to be working with Alzheimer’s Society and also investing in bespoke training to give our teams the confidence and skills to become true dementia specialists. This donation further cements our commitment to changing the landscape of dementia care.” Dame Arlene Phillips DBE, Celebrity Champion for Bluebird Care and Star Choreographer, said: “Wow – what an incredible achievement! I know first-hand just how important good dementia care is for people with the condition as well as their families, having cared for my own father for several years after he was diagnosed with dementia. It’s why I’m so proud to be a Bluebird Care Celebrity Champion, as well as Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador. I know that the work Bluebird Care are doing to become leading specialists, as well as the incredible £50,000 they have raised, will genuinely change lives – and that is remarkable.” Paul Reynolds, Associate Director of Partnerships at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We are so grateful to every single person at Bluebird Care for all they do to raise awareness of dementia – they have raised an astonishing £50,000 for us and Alzheimer’s Scotland so far. “Bluebird Care colleagues have climbed mountains and jumped out of planes to raise this money, showing such incredible dedication and commitment. We can’t wait to see what they do next. Every event they take part in, every pound they donate, they’re making a life-changing difference to people living with dementia. “Alzheimer’s Society provides vital support to people living with dementia, funds groundbreaking research and campaigns to make dementia the priority it should be. Together, we will end the devastation caused by dementia. “There are almost a million people living with dementia in the UK. But we simply can’t reach everyone without the continued support of our incredible fundraisers like Bluebird Care.” mailto:bluebirdcare@plmr.co.uk
NCF responds to the publication of the Employment Rights Bill
The National Care Forum (NCF) – the leading association for not-for-profit social care has responded to the publication today of the Employment Rights Bill which seeks to strengthen workers’ rights as laid out in the government’s ‘next steps to make work pay’ policy paper. This includes statutory sick pay from the first day and other day one rights, enhanced parental and caring rights, banning exploitive zero-hours contracts, enhanced trade union rights, an enforcement system in the form a Fair Work Agency, and the legislative underpinning necessary to introduce a Fair Pay Agreement for care workers. Vic Rayner OBE, CEO of NCF said: “We welcome any measures to strengthen the rights and improve the pay, terms and conditions of the social care workforce who make a significant contribution to our economy and the lives of millions of people. It is also encouraging to see that the definition of a ‘social care worker’ in the legislation encompasses the wide diversity of people working in the sector, and not just those in registered services. However, these measures must be accompanied by the financial and wider support necessary for providers to implement them, as well as interim measures to boost care worker pay. This bill represents a significant step change in basic employment rights which we welcome, and it will be important that employers are supported to deliver these for all workers delivering vital public care services. “The implementation of a Fair Pay Agreement for care workers, must be backed by state funding as the matter can’t simply be passed to local authorities and employers in an unfunded manner, or it will fail. The success of a Fair Pay Agreement is predicated upon the shared efforts of employers, commissioners and central government ensuring that resourcing and investment is in the right place to enable sustained increases in wages and the maintenance of pay differentials in more senior roles. “As well as the investment needed to ensure every care worker receives the fair pay increase they deserve, the state will need to support the creation of a care sector employers’ organisation, similar to the role NHS Employers plays, to sit as part of the Adult Social Care Negotiating Body alongside Trade Unions. “We know this is a marathon and not a sprint and it will take several years to establish a Fair Pay Agreement and accompanying infrastructure. While that takes place, we urge the government to use the Budget, or Financial Statement in Spring, to implement interim measures to improve the pay of care workers. “As the report published today by Skills for Care lays bare, there is alarming shrinkage taking place in our domestic care workforce. This picture will only improve if the government takes action to show care workers they are valued and appreciated. As a first step, the government could adopt the workforce strategy for adult social care facilitated by Skills for Care and developed in collaboration with a wide range of organisations and people with a stake in the future of care services. “We invite the government to work with us and our not-profit-members to support the implementation of enhanced workers’ employment rights and its plans to introduce a Fair Pay Agreement for care workers and build a National Care Service.”
