Today, we are calling on the UK government to ensure that occupational therapists, and all Allied Health Professions (AHPs), working in social care are given a fair deal.
As a key member of the Future Social Care Coalition, we proudly stand alongside hundreds of those working in social care and together we are attending the ‘Social Care Lobby Day’. Today is all about giving a massive shout-out to all those who work in social care – the forgotten frontline and highlighting the lack of capacity in the social care system.
With one voice, we are lobbying the government to take immediate steps to tackle the vacancy, recruitment and retention crisis in social care to ensure that social care has parity in both pay and resources with the NHS.
Commenting on the day of action, RCOT Chief Executive, Steve Ford, said:
“We are joining forces with colleagues across social care to fight for you, calling on MPs and peers to hear your concerns and to get the message that it’s time you had a fair deal. I have signed the pledge asking the government to fix social care, and a letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to do something to address the crisis in care. All of us will rely on the social care workforce at some point in our lives. It is only right and fair that we care for those who care.
“The UK Government needs to address the real issues in the social care workforce, which are leading to chronic shortages all over the country. Occupational therapists, support workers, as well as other AHPs, still wait to hear about how the government intends to tackle the issues they face on a daily basis.
“Now is the time to improve access, quality, and levels of social care and rehabilitation support, so that those who need it receive the care they need, when they need it. Those working in social care, including thousands of occupational therapists – over 10% of our workforce, must have parity of pay and resources with the NHS workforce and be given proper development opportunities. This needs to start now!”
Find more information on the Social Care Lobby Day.
See our recent response to the government’s announcement on the health and social care levy.