Number of unqualified care workers in UK could be as high as 500,000, report claims

[ad_1]

As many as 500,000 people could be passing themselves off as trained care workers after advertising their services online, it was claimed this morning.

The worrying figure follows “damning” new evidence that while many professional care workers offer excellent services, there is a growing number in a “grey area” who have no training or qualifications and work cash in hand.

According to the Daily Express, experts fear that millions of OAPs in need of care remain at the mercy of an “unlicensed and unskilled workforce”.

It reported today that the shocking findings have prompted the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Social Care to launch an urgent investigation.

It is poised to make a host of recommendations to overhaul the system before the end of the year.

Labour MP and co-chair Louise Haigh told the paper: “I hadn’t realised how unqualified some of the workforce looking after our most vulnerable were. The system that has been created encourages bad employers and creates a huge amount of risk for staff and the people who are being cared for.

“It is inevitable we will have scandal after scandal while we are underfunding, undervaluing and underpaying the system and the workforce. This is a national emergency.”

The Daily Express said the APPG was appalled to learn there is no compulsory register or industry-recognised minimum standard qualification for those tasked with administering life-saving care to seriously ill patients.

Jayne Connery, Director of Care Campaign for the Vulnerable, told CHP: “Care Campaign For The Vulnerable receives much correspondence from care staff and families regarding poor training in care especially towards elderly clients many diagnosed with dementia.

“Carers say some employers rarely devote time needed and they are often inadequately trained ‘on the job’.

The research has prompted calls for the compulsory registration of those working in care homes, home care and supported living, as well as personal assistants and those who support people on direct payments, provide live-in care or are self-employed.

CHP’s sister title, Home Care Insight, has partnered with NACAS on a petition calling for the compulsory registration of care workers in England.

You can sign the petition by clicking here.

The post Number of unqualified care workers in UK could be as high as 500,000, report claims appeared first on Care Home Professional.

[ad_2]

Source link