Chief Exec of Tagsa Uibhist on the real value of care

If you were to ask which job is the most undervalued in our society, that is, which role has the lowest pay in relation to how intrinsically valuable the work is, the answer would have to be Care Assistant.

There are plans from the Scottish Government to create a new National Care Service which we hope will transform the sector. But as this is two or more years away, we continue to grapple with a deepening crisis in social care staffing here in Benbecula and Uist. This means that our incredible Care Staff still have to go the extra mile whilst more elderly people need to wait longer for care. The cost-of-living crisis, Brexit, fuel prices and the lack of housing for incoming workers compound an already untenable situation.

Early every morning, Tagsa Carers are on the road, criss-crossing Uist, as they travel to and from the homes of the most vulnerable elderly people in our community, from Locheport to Locheynort. On arriving, our carers will be helping clients to start their day, to get up, to wash, get dressed, take their medication, and have breakfast as well as other tasks detailed in each client’s care plan. The word ‘client’ can sound too formal and impersonal for our carers as they often know the people they visit very well, indeed some have been friends for decades. Our Care Assistants come from all walks of life, from retired ward managers and insurance underwriters to young people who care deeply about elderly people.

Particularly for people who live alone, care visits can be vital moments of human contact, news, encouragement, and chat that brighten an otherwise uneventful day. Many of our experienced carers will actually remember how the now quiet homes of our clients once buzzed with the activity of children, friends, and neighbours, of work and the ebb and flow of community life. That continuity and knowledge of the person adds to the quality of the care that is given.

As our staff have to make many visits each day, time seldom allows more than a brief chat and as a separate service, Tagsa’s team visit elderly people simply to provide company and also bring people together for ceilidhs, gardening, art classes, and social occasions.

So far, I’ve painted a picture of our intrepid carers successfully delivering a vital and fulfilling service. But what none of us should forget is that this can be an extremely tough and emotionally draining job. Our carers deal with intense vulnerability and suffering, often accompanying clients as they reach the end of their lives.

During the pandemic, Care Assistants did not stint in their care visits, meticulously using protective equipment and daily testing. Sadly, some of our clients declined and passed away over this period. As professionals, our staff are as prepared as anyone could be to deal with the passing of a client, but we need to recognise that this has an enormous emotional toll on Care Assistants, particularly in our close-knit community.

Care workers were among the worst affected by mental health issues over the course of the pandemic. Yet we see our staff going above and beyond time and again, a testament to their resilience and the genuine care they have for their clients.

Our team members, some of whom are well past retirement age and bring a wealth of expertise and wisdom, know that if they do not continue to make their visits, there is no one sitting in the wings to take their place.

As care needs go unmet due to lack of staff, we are doing everything in our power to recruit and, in particular, to encourage school leavers to make a commitment to this exciting career, and to attract Care Workers from the mainland to settle in Uist. We are also in discussion with candidates to apply for Skilled Worker Visas from as far away as Malawi. In the meantime, we strive to take good care of the staff we have and to support our team members to make a long-term career commitment to this immensely valuable work.

Despite the challenges, our Care Assistants can hold their heads high, for their pride of purpose in their work, knowing that it is a privilege to care for people in times of distress and vulnerability. This powerful sense of shared humanity is the vital underpinning for care and is one that Governments need to value significantly more in real terms.

Our government should benchmark the pay of Care Assistants against NHS pay scales to ensure parity in terms of pay and status. This would encourage more people to make a commitment to a career in care. However, this will only work if affordable housing is built to accommodate the needed workforce. Otherwise, we will fail those who need care and support the most.