News

Councils must pay higher fees if the voluntary sector is to recruit and retain qualified staff in order to provide high-quality services, social care employers have warned.

A report by the Social Care Employers Consortium (SCEC), which represents 58 voluntary sector bodies, calls for a government plan to address low pay and for voluntary sector staff to have the same benefits as public sector key workers, such as teachers and nurses.

Turnover in the voluntary sector social care market is 22 per cent compared with 15 per cent in the public and private sector and low pay was responsible for 61 per cent of resignations.

SCEC chair Clare Smith said charities should not be seen as a "cheap option" for service provision by councils and primary care trusts. 

• Social Care: Growing Crisis from www.scec.uk.net