Additional social care payment aligned with the real living wage

Welsh Government has today committed £43m in the Budget to make the real living wage for social care a reality from April.

An additional payment for social care workers eligible for the real living wage has also been announced which will see an additional £1,000 added into pay packets.

This payment, which will be made to approximately 53,000 social care workers across Wales, will be managed by local authorities.

The additional payment will also be made to senior care staff and managers in care homes and domiciliary care.

Julie Morgan MS, Deputy Minister for Social Services, said: “I am very pleased we have been able to fulfil our key commitment to introduce the real living wage for social care – giving tens of thousands of people a much-needed pay rise as we face one of the worst cost-of-living-crises.

“I hope this additional payment, coupled with the real living wage, will also help us tackle some of the very real challenges providers are experiencing recruiting and retaining people with the skills needed to undertake these crucial roles.

“We want to see more people take permanent jobs in social care and start a rewarding career. For this reason, the payment will not be made to agency staff.

“We also want those people who are considering leaving social care, or who have already left, to think again.”

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Welsh Government for their commitment to financially supporting our social care workers. This will be a very welcome addition to pay packets especially as the cost of living continues to rise across the country.

It is no secret that the extreme pandemic pressures that we are continuing to operate under are having a significant impact on recruitment to the social care sector.

I would encourage anyone who has an interest in becoming a social care worker or would like to find out more, to engage with our ongoing recruitment drive.

Councillor Jane Gebbie, Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help

A social care event is being held on 18 February in Bridgend town centre where representatives from the local authority’s recruitment team, Adult and Children’s social services and Employability Bridgend will be on hand to support you with information on opportunities in social care

There is no need to book and enquiries from non-drivers are also welcomed. If you can’t join us on the day, you can email us at recruitment@bridgend.gov.uk or visit the website.

A full list of social care vacancies at Bridgend County Borough Council can be found on the local authority’s website.