Wales has set up the UK’s first group to improve social care workforce conditions.
The Social Care Workforce Partnership aims to bring together government, employers, and trade unions to improve working conditions for social care staff.
The partnership has already consulted with the social care workforce and providers to ensure their voices are heard when determining priorities.
Over the coming months, the group will focus on improving health and safety at work, protecting staff from violence, and developing mutual agreements between employers and trade unions.
These agreements will address key areas such as effective procedures for dealing with organisational changes and clear guidance relating to employee appeals and rights.
The partnership will operate on a voluntary basis, with social care employers encouraged to adopt the models it agrees to enhance consistency in the social care sector.
Minister for children and social care, Dawn Bowden, said: “Wales is leading the way with our government, employers, and trade unions working together for the benefit of the social care sector.
“This is a promising step towards creating a fairer and more supportive work environment for them.”
Mark Turner, lead for social care at Unison Cymru Wales, said: “The creation of the Social Care Workforce Partnership has the potential to overhaul much more than basic pay rates, because it’s a voluntary form of collective bargaining.
“This means that care workers have a voice through trades unions, and unions can negotiate sector-wide agreements which we hope will improve the working lives of tens of thousands of care workers in every corner of Wales.”
The National Provider Forum added: “Social care providers know first-hand how important the workforce is to improving people’s lives and we are committed to working in partnership with government and the trade unions to improve recognition, reward, and working conditions.”