A celebratory reception for the social care workforce was held by the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street on the evening of the 24th November 2021, where he personally thanked and praised careworkers for their exceptional contribution since the start of the pandemic.
Careworkers representing all settings of care from across the country, including homecare, were invited. Homecare Association members were amongst those recognised for their work, including Katy Turner (Caring Connections) and Paula Guitierrez and Theresa Russell (Abbots Care).
The event was also attended by the CEO of the Homecare Association, Dr Jane Townson, as well as leaders from Carers UK, Independent Age, Skills for Care, SCIE, the Care Quality Commission, ADASS, local authorities, MENCAP, and Care England.
The Prime Minister greeted the careworkers in attendance individually and gave a short speech, in which he expressed warm appreciation for their commitment during the pandemic, as well as empathy for the challenges they faced.
After the reception had finished, care leaders stayed for an informal discussion with the Minister for Care, Gillian Keegan MP. We reiterated our call for the homecare workforce to be appropriately rewarded for their work, as well as debating the pros and cons of upcoming funding reform.
Commenting on the event, Homecare Association CEO, Dr Jane Townson, said:
It was wonderful to see the care workforce recognised by the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street for their dedication to those they support, even in the most difficult of times. Putting their own lives at risk, they worked tirelessly to protect and improve the lives of older and disabled people. Many went above and beyond the call of duty, often being the only point of contact for some of the most dependent people in society, helping them to live well at home and flourish in their communities
Speaking to the Minister for Care after the reception, we repeated our calls for the social care workforce to be fairly rewarded for the skilled roles they perform. We believe careworkers should receive wages equivalent to Band 3 healthcare assistants in the NHS and certainly more than those in jobs requiring far less training and responsibility in retail and hospitality.
We continue to call on the government to walk the talk on “levelling up” and ensure fairness for all. We also want to see meaningful action on the wider reform agenda, which needs to be adequately funded.
--ENDS--
Notes for Editors
- Our CEO Jane Townson is available for interview upon request.
- The Homecare Association is the UK’s membership body for homecare providers, with over 2,350 members nationally. The Homecare Association’s mission is to work together to ensure that homecare is valued, so that all of us can live well at home and flourish within our communities. The Homecare Association takes the lead in shaping homecare, in collaboration with partners across the care sector, and provides hands-on support and practical tools for its members. As a member-led professional association, the Homecare Association's members agree to abide by the Association's Code of Practice.
- For further information please contact: Homecare Association Ltd, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, SM6 7AH. Telephone: 020 8661 8165. Mobile: 07393 012 113. www.homecareassociation.org.uk
Celebration and thanks to our amazing care workforce tonight at a reception with @BorisJohnson at @10DowningStreet. Not allowed to take pics inside, so the official ones with careworkers will come later. Great to see colleagues in real life. pic.twitter.com/mRwOtv67Rc
— Jane Townson (@drjanetownson) November 24, 2021
Pictured above: Paula Guitierrez and Theresa Russell from Abbots Care.
