Public First have today published a new report – Work that Matters – which reveals that people who provide social care to working-age adults have better-quality jobs than other UK workers on low and middle pay.
Jobs in social care are often characterised as unskilled, unfulfilling and insecure. But in his speech to Labour Party conference the Prime Minister singled out the expertise and dedication of social care workers, praising their ‘huge skill, humour and humanity’. This new Public First study provides the evidence behind these words, looking specifically at workers who provide care and support to disabled adults of working age.
Drawing on a representative survey of 4,099 UK workers, alongside qualitative research, the Work that Matters report finds that working-age social care delivers the core foundations of a good career. The research compares workers in the sector to others with low to middle earnings right across the economy (a sub-sample of 2,315 of the 4,099 respondents).
Jobs in working-age social care perform at or above the average for other jobs with below median full-time earnings across each of 40 measures of job quality. Four headline findings stand out:
- First, jobs in working-age social care are more purposeful than most work with low and middle pay. People in the sector are much more likely to say that their job helps other people, is meaningful and worthwhile, and makes them feel proud.
- Second, jobs in the sector are associated with significant skills and responsibilities. Compared to other jobs with low and middle pay, work in working-age social care requires more job-related skills, more people skills and more personal responsibility.
- Third, jobs in working-age social care are seen to provide good job security. Notably, with so much uncertainty about AI and work, people in this sector are more likely than those in any other to agree ‘I’m certain jobs like mine will exist in 10 to 20 years’ time’.
- Fourth, workers in the sector are more likely to have clear and formal ways to raise issues and concerns with their employer.
The development and selection of the 40 measures was informed by decades of previous research on the quality of work, drawing on studies by academics, think tanks and official international bodies.
On nine measures, jobs in working-age social care are better than the average for other roles with low and middle earnings by a statistically significant margin. Across the remaining 31 measures the sector is in line with other jobs. There are no measures where the sector is worse than the average by a statistically significant margin.
Looking at common alternatives to work in social care, the research found that jobs in working-age social care were better than jobs in retail and hospitality (by a statistically significant margin) on 15 of the 40 measures - and worse on none. Similarly, although jobs in healthcare are often seen as preferable to social care, there were no measures where working-age social care was worse than healthcare.
Care jobs should be better paid. But this evidence shows that a positive and rounded story can be told about jobs in the sector: one that celebrates the contribution of care workers, encourages more young people into the profession, and promotes social care for working-age adults as a long-term, secure and purposeful career.
Commenting on the publication of the report, Andrew Harrop, director at Public First said:
“This large-scale survey of the UK labour market shows that careers in social care for working-age adults are more purposeful, secure and skilled than the average job in other sectors – and especially those that compete for the same workforce, like retail and hospitality.
“People in this sector are more likely than in any other to be certain that jobs like theirs will exist in future decades. Technology will not replace caring roles, and more people will need to draw on care and support in the years ahead. With tens of thousands of young people looking for work, social care offers secure and rewarding jobs in a sector that is growing.”
Valerie Michie, co-founder of Care Matters and CEO of Choice Care said:
“Care jobs should be better paid. But this research shows that a positive and rounded story should be told about jobs in working-age social care: one that celebrates care workers, encourages more young people into the profession, and promotes social care for working-age adults as a long-term, secure and purposeful career.”
About Care Matters
Care Matters is a new hub for evidence, ideas and action on how good social care can help adults live fulfilling lives with the right support.
It has been established by a group of specialist social care providers who want tocelebrate the ambitions and achievements of people who draw on support, recognise the skill and commitment of the people who work alongside them, and encourage a more hopeful and human conversation about social care.
Care Matters provides a place to bring together research, new ideas and personal experience. By exploring what works, what good support makes possible and where things need to change, the hub aims to contribute to a better understanding of social care and shape a brighter future for people who draw on support.
About Public First
Public First is the research partner to Care Matters and conducted this study. It is a policy, research and strategy consultancy that works with governments, businesses and institutions to understand public opinion and address major economic and public policy challenges. Its work combines economic modelling, data analysis and opinion research to bring the voices of the public into decision-making. It is a member of the British Polling Council and a company partner of the Market Research Society.
