Exclusive: Care leader says staff deserve a national minimum care worker wage

Care workers should be rewarded for their hard work with a new national care worker minimum wage, Karolina Gerlich, the executive director of the Care Workers' Charity has revealed in an exclusive interview.

“I think there should be a national minimum care worker wage”, Karolina Gerlich, who champions care workers’ rights, has told carehome.co.uk.

'Much better pay' and 'vastly increased' funding

Ms Gerlich explained the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid "needs to commit to a more robust reform of social care".

"That includes professionalisation via registration route of all care workers, improved career pathways and training availability and vastly increased funding to the sector for care workers so that they receive much better pay and providers don't have to worry so much about their businesses.

“Any reform of funding should reflect the importance of the work that care workers do - with an understanding that only care workers that feel well themselves, being paid properly …can deliver the care that we expect to be delivered.”

When asked how much the national minimum care worker wage should be, she said: “I’ve not had the time to properly look at how much, with the increase of prices recently. I could not tell you a figure now without doing more research.”

Referring to the Real Living Wage, she said the national minimum care worker wage “should be above the level set by the Living Wage Foundation.”

The Living Wage Foundation's Real Living Wage is £9.90 for the UK (and £11.05 in London).

In response to Ms Gerlich's call for a national minimum care worker wage, Bill Hannigan, (@billhannigan) who lives with Parkinson’s, tweeted: “Karolina is right to call for a national minimum wage for carers. It would help close the recruitment gap".

Sajid Javid aged 18 visited care home 'as a volunteer'

At Care England's 'Facing the Future' conference in London on 23 March, Mr Javid agreed to meet with Karolina Gerlich to discuss the challenges facing care staff.

In a speech to care professionals at the conference, Mr Javid talked about the government's 10-year vision for social care and highlighted £1.7bn being invested in improving the social care system, including £500m in the workforce. He also referred to plans for portable care certificates and a new skills passport.

During his speech, Mr Javid, said: “Back when I was a student in Exeter, I’d visit a care home as a volunteer. I kept residents company, especially a lady called Margaret who I became very fond of.

“It’s over thirty years ago, but the experience left a real impression on me. What hasn’t changed since then is the importance of dignity and the dedication of care workers.

Health secretary: 'Care begins at home'

"Home care and domestic care workers must have parity of esteem with others in the sector. It’s vital because I believe so much of health and care begins at home.

"I know the majority of people want to live in their own homes for as long as possible – and as independently as possible. I’m determined we help as many people as possible realise that ambition."

The minister also told the audience: "I spoke to someone who made home visits to help an elderly man with dementia. She would help him go to bed each night. Because of his mental condition, he would swear and shout at the top of his voice. I asked her: 'How do you put up with this every day?'. And she said to me, 'He’s not well – and that’s just the job'."

The minister said the Social Care White Paper will ensure "we embed housing" into local health and care strategies and make funds accessible to increase the availability of supported housing. As part of this, the government announced an investment of £300 million in housing over the next three years.

He highlighted an additional £200m in the Care and Support Specialist Housing Fund and £573m a year to the Disabled Facilities Grant to help people make home adaptations.

Mr Javid added: "I want many more people to have the dignity and pride that comes with living behind your own front door."