Supported living care staff in Doncaster to get pay rise

Cabinet members approved a plan to raise the wages of workers in the Supported Living Services who work closely with vulnerable adults often in small clusters.

It’s expected to cost the council £841,000 per year to implement the rise in wages.

There are 323 residents who access the services and fees will not increase, Coun Rachel Blake, cabinet member for social care said.

SLS providers had not yet been offered an uplift for 2020/21 financial yet because of ‘other work pressures’ brought upon by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Although providers were given a significant amount of up-front financial support with cash flow as part of the council’s Covid response, the 2020/21 uplift is needed so providers have a ‘sustainable way of supporting inflationary pressures’ including an increase the Government’s National Living Wage

The move will promote ‘better outcomes’ for residents in the care sector and for jobs across Doncaster, health bosses have said.

“These are people who play a key role in enabling vulnerable people in our communities to live more independent lives.

“A review of the current hourly rates have taken place as part of the annual renewal contract process.

“Benchmarking against other local authorities in the region shows that our hourly rates are amongst the lowest and lower than rates for similar services for supporting living also contracted with Doncaster.

“The consequences of this is that the low rate reduces the ability to provide the stable and consistent support required by people. It also hampers providers recruiting and retaining staff.

“As we’re still waiting for a long term strategy for funding adult social care, discussed many times in this cabinet, we have to make decisions locally.”