Care providers’ concern over Living Wage boost for ‘ sleepover’ shifts
The Coalition of Care and Support providers in Scotland has said it has“very little con fidence” that the Cabinet Secre - tary can deliver the living wage to “sleepover” staff.
Shona Robison announced yesterday that care workers who coversleep over shifts are to be paid the living wage of £ 8.45 per hour.
Care workers have been paid the living wage for non- sleepover hours since October last year. However, despite wel - coming the intention behind the Cabinet Secretary’ s decision, the CCPS rasied a series of major concerns about the policy, including what will cost, where the money will come fromand how it will reach employers.
CCPS director Annie Gunner Logan said: “The Scottish Gov- ernment has taken a lot of flak in recent months for its ‘ it’ll be all right on the night’ approach to social care.
“We have so far resisted joining the chorus of disapproval, but on this occasion we see clear potential for a wholly admirablepolicy intention to be seriously undermined by a failure to prepare for the challenges of implementation, despite these having been raised repeatedly by the very organisations that will be expected to deliver on this commitment.”
The Scottish Government saidhealth and social care partnerships would work with care providers to deliver the commitment during 2018- 19.