If there is a word for “long-term crisis”, then that word best describes English social care. The sector suffers from chronic underfunding and is often associated in the media with scandals, tragedies and mix-ups. Yet social care policy is at the crux of people’s social and mental well-being, making jobs in the sector vital for those who want to make a difference.
Social care faces two inter-connected problems: inadequate funding and cultural issues. We have seen social care damaged by local authority cuts, with benefit reform putting the wellbeing of disabled people, people with mental health problems and others at risk. Similarly, the tendency to offer one-size-fits all services, rather than person-centred care, is damaging for the sector.
If social care is to offer valued jobs and careers, there need to be policy changes. Here are five reforms I believe would improve careers and the quality of support available in the sector.
1. Make social care a career
Social care mustn’t be seen as an entry-level job. Service users – at times of vulnerability and crisis – deserve much better than that. Real careers, developing specialisms, expertise and an upwards career trajectory, similar to the NHS, could transform the workforce.
2. All social care workers should have decent terms and conditions
This means much more than an end to zero-hour contracts, unpaid travel and training time. It means developing good terms and conditions that ensure every member of the workforce receives at least a living wage and supportive supervision. We need to extend the involvement of service users and carers that has been pioneered in social work training, ensuring all occupational training has the input of service users who know first-hand what good social care can make possible.
3. All social care roles should be based on a social model of disability
User-led training should be put in place to make this possible. Historically, social care operated on a deficit model – trying to compensate for what people can’t do. A social model, on the other hand, would help workers support vulnerable people and maximise their potential by taking account of the physical, environmental and communicative barriers that restrict their lives.
4. We should recruit people who have used social care services
More recently, the value of recruiting former service users has been recognised. Service users say they trust people with such experience because it fosters trust and better understanding, reducing the likelihood of inequality and abuse. Social care services and support are also increasingly provided by large organisations. Service users value services by user-led organisations (ULOs) as they feel they provide more human-scale, responsive and approachable provision. ULOs have also pioneered more inclusive approaches to recruitment and staffing and more flexible and anti-discriminatory employment opportunities.
5. Treat the social care workforce with respect
Social work tends to be singled out for blame when there are inter-agency failings. There needs to be less political interference and scapegoating. Instead the focus should be on social care training, practice, planning and development, meaning would-be workers can join this incredibly important sector in the knowledge that their efforts and desire to help and support others will be rewarded and recognised.
The social care careers and training hub is funded by Skills for Care. All content is editorially independent except for pieces labelled “brought to you by”. Find out more here.
Looking for a job? Browse Guardian Jobs or sign up to Guardian Careers for the latest job vacancies and career advice
