Living Wage bid to help retain care staff

One of the UK’S biggest care home groups plans to bring the National Living Wage increase in early and invest £17 million to boost carers’ salaries in a bid to combat recruitment and retention issues.

HC-ONE has announced its biggest pay investment to date to reward the loyalty of more experienced care staff.

From early 2022, all staff will be paid at least the new National Living Wage of £9.50 that will take effect next April, and carers who stay at least six months will receive a pay increase.

Those who have been at the company for at least two years – around half of the care staff – will receive above the real living wage, which is set at £9.90.

The care home chain, which employs around 21,000 people, said it has seen vacancy rates triple since February, while staff turnover has risen to around 550 a month.

It also lost around 450 staff due to the mandatory vaccination requirement, which came in last month.

Chief executive James Tugendhat said the challenge of retaining staff where there are other job choices available is difficult and that recruitment is “really tough out there”.

He said: “We are seeing ever more need for more complex dementia care, more frailty, and so it’s not just a question of having more people, it’s also having enough of the right skills and being able to train and develop colleagues.”

The GMB union, which is recognised by HC-ONE, will consult on the proposed changes with members.

Rachel Harrison, GMB national officer, said: “Any investment in the social care workforce, which has been undervalued and underpaid for so long, is a welcome step in the right direction.”