Wales is the first in the UK to have set up a group bringing
government, employers and trade unions together to improve ways
of working for staff in the social care sector.
The Social Care Workforce Partnership will be important in
helping representatives of employers and workers learn from each
other and make working conditions better and fairer for staff.
The Partnership has already consulted with the social care
workforce and providers to determine what matters to them and
ensure their voices are heard when determining the priorities for
the Partnership.
The group will focus on three main areas over the coming months
which includes improving health and safety at work and protecting
staff from violence. Work will also take place to develop mutual
agreements between an employer and trade unions which can address
key areas such as effective procedures when dealing with
organisational changes and making sure there is clear guidance
relating to employee appeals and rights.
The partnership will operate on a voluntary basis and social care
employers will be encouraged to adopt the models it agrees to
enhance consistency to the social care sector.
The group builds on work that began in 2020 when Wales set up the
Social Care Fair Work Forum to embed fair work and look at ways
of improving pay and conditions for care workers.
Minister for Children and Social Care, said: "Wales is leading the
way with our Government, employers and trade unions working
together for the benefit of the social care sector.
“Care staff throughout Wales work tirelessly and show their
commitment every day to support the people they look after. This
is a promising step towards creating a fairer and more supportive
work environment for them.
“We know the sector faces challenges but working together we can
develop positive change, make a difference to the social care
workforce and the people who rely on social care services in
Wales.”
Mark Turner, Lead for Social Care at UNISON Cymru Wales, said:
“The Welsh Government has been paving the way since the end of
2020, with measures like a minimum pay rate of the Real Living
Wage already in place since 2022.
“The creation of the Social Care Workforce Partnership has the
potential to overhaul much more than basic pay rates, because
it's a voluntary form of collective bargaining. This means that
care workers have a voice through trades unions, and unions can
negotiate sector wide agreements which we hope will improve the
working lives of tens of thousands of care workers in every
corner of Wales. It's only a first step but unions are optimistic
for the future.”
The National Provider Forum said: “Social care providers know
first-hand how important the workforce is to improving people's
lives and we are committed to working in partnership with
government and the trade unions to improve recognition, reward
and working conditions. The Social Care Workforce Partnership
will be a valuable space to discuss and develop policies that
progress these aims, alongside continued work to ensure that
services receive the necessary funding to make this a reality.”
