Cathie Williams, Chief Executive of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services said:
“Working in social care or social work is incredibly rewarding, skilled and essential, however low pay, high turnover and alarming vacancy rates were all too common in the adult care workforce before the onset of Covid-19. The pandemic did little to ease these pressures and the trends are now worsening again. Our workforce is exhausted and nothing has been done to ensure that staff feel both recognised and rewarded for the essential work they do. At a time when other sectors are offering golden hellos and significant wage increases, adult social care is being left behind.
The Government must invest in adult social care and our brilliant staff. Without that investment we are facing an incredibly difficult winter as the gaps grow and more people will miss out on vital care and support.”