The National Care Forum is the leading voice for not-for-profit care providers. Our Policy Director, Liz Jones, celebrates the results of our recent survey.
The results are in from the National Care Forum’s recent survey of 1,500 adults in England. This research reveals that three quarters (74%) of adults in England believe care home staff do a brilliant job. It also shows an overwhelming belief that care workers are undervalued (81%) and that care workers should be paid better (80%).
Our research findings have been released to mark Professional Care Worker’s Week, which runs from 1st-4th September, organised by The Care Workers’ Charity, to demonstrate the best that social care has to offer. It feels very timely to have a week dedicated to recognising the efforts of care workers and acknowledging the extraordinary work they do.
These findings are part of a broader piece of public perception research done by the NCF relating to the care sector during COVID and we were delighted to see the very positive perceptions that the public hold about the care workforce.
Professional Care Worker’s Week offers a fantastic opportunity to reflect and celebrate our care workforce. We know that their work is both rewarding and challenging, with every day bringing something new, and over the past months, in the face of Covid-19, they really have shown how exceptional they are. Care workers have risen to the challenge of additional workloads, and have done amazing work to support people during the pandemic under extremely difficult circumstances. We have seen inspiring examples of how care teams have gone above and beyond to support those receiving care, sometimes even moving in to make sure that no one would be left alone and the level of care would not be affected.
This research shows just how much the public recognises care staff for their invaluable work. Even more encouraging is that 80% of adults in England believe that care workers should be paid better. This should help to convince the government that now is the time to act. As the government is shaping up its plans for social care and considering its spending plans for the next three years, better pay for care workers must be central to that.
On behalf of the National Care Forum, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our amazing care workforce for their hard work, dedication, resilience and care. Professional Care Worker’s Week offers us all a chance celebrate all that you do.
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