The Institute for Public Policy and Research (IPPR) has said a shortfall is due in social care staff due to Brexit and recruitment/pay issues. A drop of nearly 400,000 social care staff is expected.
The report highlights the main issues as stemming from underfunding of social care and social care workers being paid less than the minimum wage. One in three care workers are on a zero-hours contract meaning that some have to work excessive hours or multiple jobs.
The report states:-
‘The poor treatment and widespread exploitation of the social care workforce has a significant negative impact on quality of care. Understaffing and pressure on time leads to care needs being unmet and the lack of training inhibits the ability of workers to provide high-quality care’.
The report recommends the government ensures all care workers are paid at least the minimum wage. As well as this it says that the CQC should be given a wider remit to focus on quality of employment as well as quality of care.
