Home care workers in Wales say £30 registration fee is a 'barrier' to work

Home care workers in Wales are demanding they be allowed to work in social care without having to pay a registration fee this year to the regulator Social Care Wales, because it takes “a big chunk out of their household budget”.

Home care workers in Wales were required to register with the statutory regulator, Social Care Wales in April 2020, in order to be allowed to work in social care.

However the voluntary registration fee of £20, soon rose to £25 and has now increased again to a compulsory £30 per care worker.

Home care staff and their bosses now want the annual fee waived this year.

The registration fee requirement only applies to home care workers and has prompted claims that the fee unfairly puts home care workers at a disadvantage financially, when compared to others working in social care.

Staff working in care homes are not required to register until October 2022, nor do others working in social care, such as directly employed personal assistants. Registration is also not required for similar roles in the NHS, such as for healthcare assistants.

£30 is ‘a big chunk' of household budget and 'barrier' to recruitment

While home care staff worked tirelessly during the pandemic and remain desperately needed in the sector, home care bosses say the compulsory fee is hindering the recruitment of home care workers in Wales.

Keri Llewelyn, managing director of All Care said: “£30 may not seem a lot of money to some but to those care workers at the lower end of the wages spectrum it is a big chunk out of their household budget for little immediate benefit.

“What we do not want is to put barriers in the way of our ability to recruit high standard new employees. This register was conceived with good intentions but currently the fees structure has caused discontent.”

United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA), which represents more than 2,300 domiciliary care providers in the UK, is backing calls for registration fees for home care workers to be waived this year by the Welsh government.

Colin Angel, policy director at UKHCA, said: “We support the registration of the social care workforce, as it is intended to improve their recognition as professionals.

"However, the application of a £30 fee currently places homecare workers at a financial disadvantage to their colleagues in social care and health.

“The pandemic has been an emotionally demanding and physically exhausting year for front-line homecare workers, and the high quality support they deliver continues to be vital.

"We need to retain our experienced and dedicated staff and attract new people with the right values to provide the care we all expect when we need it.

“UKHCA supports homecare workers in Wales and calls for the Welsh Government to waive the £30 fee this year and ensure future fee arrangements are equitable.”