Employers call on councils to pay more.

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