Care workers in South Yorkshire to be offered pay rise

The majority of care home workers across Barnsley are to be offered a pay rise above the national living wage in recognition of their ‘hard work during the pandemic.’

This outcome is a result of an agreement on fee levels between Barnsley Independent Care Home Association and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (BMBC) and will see direct care workers receiving a minimum of £1 extra per hour, above the national living wage.

Aditya Jain of Panaceon Healthcare and a founding member of BICHA, said the association had worked closely with the council to bring the plan to fruition.

“Our members, who represent the majority of care homes in the Barnsley area, have faced the same challenges as everyone in our industry has during Covid 19,” he said.

“We have a vibrant care sector in Barnsley supporting our families and friends, the sector makes a huge economic contribution to the town and it is morally right that employees are recognised appropriately with fair pay."

The increase will be backdated to 1 April 2021 and is seen as a way of recognising the hard work and dedication of care workers during the pandemic.

The cost of this wage increase is a shared initiative between the council and the local care businesses.

“Staff have worked particularly hard and this has led to many of our member homes maintaining an excellent infection control record throughout this pandemic.

“We are grateful to Barnsley Council and the Adult Social Care Commissioning Team without whose support this would never have been possible.”

Mr Jain added the negotiations had created a new, stronger relationship with BMBC and “work together to ensure that Barnsley is the best local authority for social care and care staff wages.”