The House of Commons’ recent vote rejecting an exemption from employers’ National Insurance contributions (ENICs) for adult social care providers is a sobering reminder of how far policy decisions continue to fall short of the reality facing our sector.
Providers across the country are already dealing with financial pressures that push them to the brink. The additional burden of increased ENICs will only deepen the crisis. Yet, while this vote is disheartening, it must also galvanise us to confront the real issue: the chronic underinvestment in the social care workforce. If we are to build a stronger, fairer and more sustainable system, it must begin with the people who deliver care.
At The Care Workers’ Charity, we believe that workforce investment is not only urgent – it is the cornerstone of any meaningful reform. Without a well-paid, well-supported and well-respected workforce, no amount of policy intervention will secure the future of adult social care. The foundations are built on people, and those foundations are cracking.
The human impact of underinvestment
The consequences of the ENICs vote are real and immediate. For many providers, this decision means cuts – cuts to training, to wellbeing support and most worryingly, to wages. In a sector where pay is already too low, and where we lose tens of thousands of care workers each year, this is not just a financial risk; it is a threat to service quality and continuity of care.
Every day at The Care Workers’ Charity, we hear from care workers who are struggling. Many of the individuals we support through crisis grants are in full-time employment but still cannot make ends meet. Some are using food banks, missing rent payments or going without essentials. These are not isolated cases – they are the norm for too many people working in care.
It is unacceptable that individuals performing such vital, skilled and emotionally demanding work are so undervalued. Low pay and poor conditions are not just unfair – they are unsustainable. If care workers continue to be treated as expendable, we will continue to see a workforce exodus that our system cannot afford.
Pay is a starting point, not the finish line
Improving pay is essential. Care work should not be a route into poverty. But investment cannot stop at wages. Workforce sustainability also depends on access to mental health support, ongoing training, opportunities for progression and genuine recognition of the complexity of the role.
Care workers are expected to provide not only physical support, but also emotional and psychological care. They support individuals through moments of distress, loss and personal crisis. They build relationships that are deeply human. That work is highly skilled, and it must be treated as such.
Unfortunately, in too many cases, care workers are still seen through the lens of ‘low-skilled’ labour. This is not only inaccurate – it is damaging. It shapes policy decisions, public perceptions and even how care workers view themselves. If we want to see real progress in social care, we must first shift how we talk about and value the workforce.
Roundtable outcomes
In 2024, The Care Workers’ Charity hosted a series of roundtables bringing together care providers, frontline workers, sector leaders and people drawing on care. These conversations explored what the future of adult social care in England should look like – and the importance of workforce investment was a dominant theme.
Participants consistently raised the issue of pay and progression, calling for a national strategy that sets out clear, funded pathways for career development. Many pointed to the disparity between the NHS and social care in terms of pay, benefits and public recognition. They asked: why are two interdependent systems treated so differently?
Mental health and wellbeing support also featured heavily in the discussions. The emotional burden of care work – especially in the aftermath of the pandemic – is significant. Many care workers have experienced trauma, bereavement and burnout, often without any access to formal support.
What emerged from these conversations was a clear picture: if we are serious about professionalising the care sector and retaining skilled staff, then we must treat care work as a career, not a stopgap. That means creating structures that reflect the value of the work—not just in words, but in practice.
Now is the time for leadership
The rejection of the ENICs exemption is undoubtedly a setback. It places additional financial strain on a sector that is already stretched. But in the face of this challenge, we must not lose sight of our responsibility to lead.
We echo the call for providers who are in a financial position to do so to commit to investing in their workforce. We know that not all organisations can make this commitment under current conditions – and we continue to campaign for increased Government funding to make it possible. But for those who can act now, it is a matter of leadership.
Continuing to invest in your teams during times of financial pressure is not easy, but it is a powerful statement of your values. It is a statement that says: we believe our workforce is not just a cost to be managed, but a strength to be nurtured.
We urge the Government to prioritise fair pay and include care workers’ voices in organisational decisions. These actions not only improve staff retention and morale – they strengthen the entire care ecosystem.
Social care as a public good
We must also continue to challenge the narrative that adult social care is a drain on public resources. This is simply not true. Social care is an essential pillar of our society and economy. It enables people to live with dignity, it supports families to work, and it relieves pressure on the NHS.
Investing in care workers is not just the right thing to do morally – it is the smart thing to do economically. High turnover and staff shortages come at a cost. Quality care depends on stable relationships and experienced professionals. If we want to build a system that people can rely on, we must ensure that care workers want to stay in their roles – and feel proud to do so.
Social care is a public good, and care work is public service. That must be reflected in how we structure funding, training and regulation. But more importantly, it must be reflected in how we treat the people who do the work.
A National Care Strategy
The Care Workers’ Charity has long called for a long-term, properly funded National Care Strategy. At the heart of that strategy must be a comprehensive workforce plan – one that includes:
• A minimum care wage, above the National Living Wage.
• Funded career development frameworks with nationally recognized qualifications.
• Access to mental health and wellbeing support for all care workers.
• Clear parity of esteem between health and social care roles.
• A commitment to co-producing policy with care workers themselves.
This is not a wish list. It is a roadmap for sustainability, quality and fairness, and it is achievable – if we have the political will and sector-wide collaboration to deliver it.
Our commitment
At The Care Workers’ Charity, our mission is to support care workers in crisis, but also to advocate for long-term change. We provide financial support, mental health services and a platform for care workers to share their experiences. We see the resilience and compassion of this workforce every day – but we also see the toll it takes when that work is not supported.
We will continue to advocate for a future where care workers are properly paid, respected and recognised. We will continue to challenge decisions that harm the workforce, and we will continue to work alongside providers, commissioners and policy makers to build a better system.
But we cannot do it alone. We need the Government to lead by example and fund social care properly. We need the public to understand and value the work that care workers do, and we need care workers to know that they are not alone – we see them, we support them and we will keep fighting alongside them.
Now is the time to act. Not out of crisis management, but out of commitment to the future, because the future of social care depends on the people who deliver it – and they deserve better.
Introducing CMM’s Charity of the Year 2025
CMM was thrilled to announce The Care Workers’ Charity (CWC) as its Charity of the Year at this year’s Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards on Friday 14th March. Donations received at the ceremony totalled an incredible £620.25, but the fundraising efforts do not stop there.
By donating, fundraising or simply spreading the word, you can help the CWC continue its mission. Together, we can create a future where every care worker is valued, supported and empowered. For more information, visit www.thecareworkerscharity.org.uk
What was your reaction to the House of Commons’ vote dismissing the amendment to exempt care providers from a rise in ENICs? Leave a comment on this feature or join the conversation to share your thoughts.
Karolina Gerlich is Chief Executive Officer at The Care Workers’ Charity. Email: [email protected] X: @careworkerscharity