My late mum was a home care worker for over 18 years here in Huddersfield. She loved her job because she made a difference in the lives of the people she cared for. However, like the many women who work in the sector, their roles aren’t valued and they are expected to do more with less.
My mum worked directly as a care worker for Kirklees Council. She received strong support from her union, Unison, and had regular hours and wages, receiving training and qualifications (all under a Labour government). Now the sector has sadly seen a denigration in work patterns and conditions. This means less time spent with the individuals they care for, travel expenses that aren’t covered properly and pay levels which are frankly shameful.
Nationally, governments have failed to tackle the problems of a fragmented care system which does little to support the people at the centre of it as local authorities face dwindling budgets and increased pressures. I was delighted to read this week that Labour are introducing plans for a National Care Service. Under the proposal backed by Unison, the Fabian Society will review how a care service could be structured and funded. Following the review, recommendations will be made to the Labour party policy review and to the Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary.
We need to see a national care service delivered on the same terms as the NHS; publicly owned, publicly funded and free at the point of use. We need to make sure we have national standards for care users and better pay and conditions for staff who work in the sector.
When my mum was diagnosed with a brain tumour, she became the person we cared for with her former colleagues providing additional support to our family. We saw the kindness these women brought not only to our mum but to our whole family. But we also saw a system that needed fixing. I was so proud of the work my mum did and the difference she made.
This fight is personal and I can promise you that I will always strive for a system that works for all of us.