A campaign has been launched to recruit another 20,000 social care workers in Wales over the next 10 years. The ageing population in Wales and relatively older workforce are two factors for the expected demand for care workers.
The jobs they are demanding for include care workers in people’s own homes, workers in residential care and more nurses. The WeCare.Wales campaign also aims to increase public understanding about what care work involves.
Population of over 80s in Wales:
Source: ONS, 2016
The number of elderly people over the age of 80 is predicted to increase by 44% in Wales by 2030. They are currently around 113,000 people in the social care sector. There is a perception that the work in low paid and pressured with long hour and demanding schedules.
The body responsible for regulating and developing the workforce said it wanted to show the jobs were “invaluable to our everyday life”.
Sue Evans, chief executive of Social Care Wales, said: “Terms and conditions are obviously a factor. One of the things our research has told us though is that once you’re in the sector, people find it a really rewarding career and stay because of the values it gives them, helping people live a better life.
“We can’t compete with other industries that may pay more but there’s a real lack of understanding out there about what the roles are. A major part of our campaign is actually improving understanding.”
As well as supporting adults, there is a need for more a childcare and early years workers are needed as the Welsh Government rolls out its 30-hour free childcare package.
The WeCare.Wales campaign is a collaboration between Social Care Wales and leading organisations representing social care, early years and childcare in Wales. It is part of a long-term strategy to develop the workforces in the care and health sector over the next decade to provide high-quality, seamless service to Wales.
Currently, around one in 17 adults in Wales work in social care or early years and childcare – making it bigger than the NHS.
Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services Julie Morgan said:
“In Wales, we are fortunate to have a team of highly-committed and dedicated social care, early years and childcare professionals who go above and beyond every day. From caring and helping our youngest children to develop and thrive, to providing support and compassionate care to adults and older people, they make a huge difference to people’s lives. But we need more people to consider these highly rewarding careers.
“That’s why I’m delighted to support the new WeCare campaign. It’s been designed to showcase the opportunities social care, early years and childcare sectors can offer to all those with the right caring skills and qualities and the support which is available to help them develop and nurture their skills to support the people they assist live full and active lives.
“I am grateful to Social Care Wales and their partners, particularly care workers who have shared their experiences, for their work on this campaign. I hope their stories will inspire people to become our next generation of carers, childcare practitioners, childminders and care assistants.”
