Wirral Council has provided £5.9m in funding to ensure carers receive the Real Living Wage (RLW).
The decision comes after the council introduced an opportunity to incentivise care providers to pay the RLW last year through the use of national funding.
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.
“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 increase, providers have noted an uplift 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.
“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. The facilitation of the Real Living Wage funding has enabled us to do this, thanks to Wirral Council and partners and their ongoing support.”
