Care professionals impacted by cost-of-living crisis

Almost nine in ten social care professionals believe their role has been affected by the cost-of-living crisis,  according to UK Care Week’s National Care Awareness Survey.

The UK Care Week team surveyed more than 600 social care professionals, including care home managers, care home workers, social workers, nurses and activities co-ordinators.  It found that chief executives, directors, care home managers and home care managers were the most likely to say their role had been affected by the crisis.

The report also found that more than seven in ten care professionals plan to stay in the sector over the next 12 months. Those working in activity co-ordinator and care administration roles were the least satisfied with their jobs, while doctors and social workers were the most satisfied. Most respondents (80%) were satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their salaries.

The majority of respondents (58.7 %) think the public view care workers as skilled professionals, although a sizable minority (35.4 %) believe they are not.  Recognition of workers, recruitment and retention and employee wellbeing were cited as the three biggest concerns in the sector.

“According to our latest research, more than 40% of care employees have left a previous role because they felt unappreciated,” said Oli Johnson, co-founder at employee app Sona, sponsor of the report.  “So, it’s no surprise that recognition is top of mind for sector leaders. Employee recognition programmes are no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ – they are a must. Embedding appreciation as a regular practice across all levels of your organisation is one of the highest impact, lowest cost retention strategies of all.” 

View the full report here

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