4 Steps to Fair Work

Press Release: Issued 28 August 2023

400 Scottish Faith Leaders have signed a declaration calling for social care workers to be paid at least £12 per hour.

It urges the Scottish Government to do “everything within its power” to immediately ensure that all frontline staff earn a fair wage to help them cope with the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Faith Leader representatives from across Scotland come together this week in support of a national campaign by the Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS) which outlines the urgent steps required by the Scottish Government to tackle the crisis within Social Care.

The ‘4 steps to Fair Work’ campaign aims to address the growing concern within Scotland’s not-for-profit social care sector. Currently providers are feeling the impact that a Scottish Government-funded base rate of pay of just £10.90 is having on staff and services. As a result of this many staff are leaving the workforce for better paid jobs elsewhere and there are challenges in trying to recruit new staff. This is leading to a loss of expertise and potential talent, and an undermining of key services – all of which jeopardises support for those who need it most.

The campaign which has been running since June aims to ensure that social care and support workers begin to be properly rewarded and recognised; and the people they support can thrive by getting the support they need at the right time and in the right places.

Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland commented ‘As people of faith we have a calling to honour care and service. Dignity and respect for others is at the very heart of the faith message. We are delighted to have this opportunity to have our collective voice heard on this matter of great importance.’

Viv Dickenson, CEO CrossReach, the Social Care arm of the Church of Scotland added ‘This is not just a matter of justice for those working in care, but it is a matter which speaks to the way in which we as a society value those that they support and care for – and our fundamental belief that every life is worth living and can be lived in the fullest way possible.

Archbishop William Nolan, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow and President of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland commented ‘We can’t run a care system on the cheap. Carers are more than just deliverers of tasks and services. They are in relationship with the people they care for, many of whom are dependent on the carer for support and assistance.

Our plea is not just about pay - it’s about attitudes. If we want our loved ones to have good care when they need it we need to care also for the carers and support them with decent wages.

Speaking on behalf of CCPS, Rachel Cackett, Chief Executive said “We’re delighted that faith leaders from across Scotland are backing our campaign, demonstrating the common ground and common values we share on the vital issue of fair work.

“4 Steps to Fair Work aims to ensure that social care and support workers begin to be properly rewarded and recognised. We want the people they support to thrive by getting the support they need at the right times and in the right places.

“We need the Scottish Government to recognise that delivering on fair work for social care staff is central to a future Scotland that has rights and dignity at its heart.

“We hope you’ll add your voice to our campaign: please contact your MSP to alert them to our calls and urge them to raise the need for 4 Steps to Fair Work in Holyrood when parliament returns from recess next week.”

The campaign encourages members of the public to share their support by using the hashtags #4stepstofairwork and #stepchangeinsocialcare. Further details and advice on doing this can be found at www.ccpsscotland.org/campaign

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