Urgent talks are needed to stave off an exodus of care workers in Wales.
The latest Social Care Wales survey has revealed 44% of all care workers say they will be likely to leave the care sector in the next five years, due to low pay and poor conditions.
The report also found more than three quarters (77%) of social workers, and around 62% of social care managers, said having too much work to do and not enough time to do it caused them stress.
Three quarters (75%) of social workers and 62% of social care managers listed paperwork and bureaucracy as a cause of stress while 46% of social workers said they were quite likely or very likely to leave the sector.
UNISON Cymru/Wales Welsh social care forum chair Peter Garland (pictured above) said: “Social Care Wales has conducted the first comprehensive survey of care workers.
“It shows there can be no easing of the accelerator for change in how we deliver care in Wales.
“Care workers need to feel valued and want to have a voice.
“There is an urgent need for negotiation on pay and working conditions.
“Low pay, sick pay and many other issues need addressing, but this will only happen if care providers recognise trades unions and give care workers a voice and respect in the workplace.”
UNISON Cymru/Wales local government committee chair Jan Davies said: “UNISON has been demanding action to lower stress levels and manage caseloads to more acceptable levels for a long time and social workers also feel undervalued.
“We’re calling on local government and Welsh government to work with us and other unions to bring about urgent improvements in social work.”
Click here for more information on the Social Care Wales survey
