Britain is facing a shortage of 350,000 social care workers needed to reach international staffing standards for elderly care. The GMB union has drawn attention to this issue, emphasizing the impact of staff shortages on the social care sector. Concerns have been raised that the lack of formal social care is leading people to leave their jobs, with a significant increase in individuals providing over 35 hours of unpaid care per week.
Unlike the UK, countries like Japan and Finland have specific minimum requirements for care work, with ratios of up to three service users per employed carer. Achieving this ratio in the UK would necessitate recruiting more than 350,000 new carers. The GMB is set to propose a motion at the Labour Party Conference to advocate for legally mandated safe staffing levels in care homes.
Jo Pitchford, GMB Bolton Care Branch Secretary, will address the conference, highlighting the ongoing care crisis in the UK. The shortage of over 131,000 staff vacancies and low pay for care workers have contributed to a challenging environment, prompting two-thirds of care workers to express concerns about continuing in their roles until retirement. The lack of clear staffing guidelines has led to overworked and underpaid carers facing attacks and fatigue alone, underscoring the urgent need for legal standards in care provision.
The Mirror’s Fair Care for All campaign has been launched to advocate for properly staffed and funded social care. While the government has pledged to establish a National Care Service, its implementation has been delayed pending a national review. The campaign calls for dignified and respectful treatment of older people, the creation of a national care service alongside the NHS, the appointment of a minister for the elderly, and a well-funded care system that caters to all.
Recent analysis by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has revealed a significant increase in full-time unpaid carers in England alongside a rise in applications for formal social care support. However, the increase in demand has not been met with a proportional rise in the number of individuals receiving care. To meet the staffing benchmarks set by other countries, the number of care workers in England would need to increase substantially.
As discussions on safe staffing levels continue, the importance of fair wages for care workers is emphasized. The need to improve working conditions, eliminate short home visits, and enhance support for unpaid carers are key components of the Fair Care for All campaign. Labour’s ongoing efforts, including the Casey Review of adult social care, aim to address the funding challenges associated with caring for the elderly in the UK.