Carers in Wirral will keep the pay rise given to them last year to honour their hard work during the pandemic.
In May 2020, Wirral Council committed around £6m of national funding to ensure care workers on the frontline of the battle against Covid-19 would get the Real Living Wage.
This figure, £9.50 per hour outside of London, is far higher than the minimum wage of £8.91 per hour for those aged 23 and above.
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For people aged 18-20 the minimum wage is just £6.56 per hour.
The authority has now confirmed that it will offer a similar funding package from its own resources to support a £9.50 per hour wage for care workers in the borough.
The money is being put aside to recognise the work undertaken by carers, as well as to help keep staff in the sector and attract new ones.
Cllr Yvonne Nolan, chair of Wirral Council’s Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee, said: “Not only is the Real Living Wage about supporting our care workers at a time when we need them most, it’s also about a commitment to the social care sector, attributing a wage that matches the valuable work that they do 365 days a year, crisis or not.
The Labour councillor added: “It is only right that we continue to support our social care workforce and recognise the importance of their role.
“They’ve been there for us throughout the pandemic, now it’s our turn to be there for them.”
Since the pay rise last year, providers have seen an increase in the amount of candidates showing an interest in starting a career in social care.
Hazel Murphy, registered manager at Premier Care, said: “The role of a carer is more complex than ever, requiring a high level of training and skill.
"The equipment we use is ever more sophisticated to support the needs of individuals in receipt of care. The administration of medication also requires carers to be highly trained and vigilant at every call.
“The demands on the role of carers in the community increase whilst the perception of the role to those outside the sector is very different.”
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Ms Murphy added: “With this funding, we have been able to offer ‘business as usual’ with a ‘cherry on top’. The funding has supported providers like ourselves to pay the Real Living Wage to our care staff.
“Not only has this attracted more new applicants, it has improved care staff retention rates.
“We are thrilled that providers are able to continue to offer the Real Living Wage to a sector deserving to be recognised and valued."
