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support workers

‘Don’t ever call us unskilled again!’ engaging with and listening to these
We have learnt extensively from
support workers. We are holding up their
words as a powerful testament to what is
Workers have battled, often unrecognised, to get the best for possible and should be done as we
those they supported during the pandemic. A hidden emerge from the world’s first major
workforce speaks out in a report by Sally Warren and Jo Giles pandemic for a century.
With severe cuts to funding for more
than a decade, social care is on its knees.
Many families who are supporting their
or many years, social care has lacked ● ● “A visceral report which doesn’t pull loved ones are exhausted. At its worst,
investment, and been undervalued any punches. A hidden workforce social care has become little more than a
Fand invisible to many. People are speaks out. Support workers, we salute threadbare safety net.
often unaware of the importance of social you.” Sue Livett, chief executive, It is time to reframe the image of social
care and how it is a lifeline to millions of Aldingbourne Trust care to value its importance. Millions of
people across the UK from the moment of citizens in the UK need support to live
birth to the moment of death. ● ● “This report highlights the their lives.
This invisibility of social care to the values and humanity that Most of these support
general public has meant that horrific cuts are at the core of the workers quoted in the
to services and budgets have gone largely support worker role. report are members of
unnoticed and unchallenged. During the Without fuss or fanfare, The Gr8 Support
pandemic, most media and news support workers carried on Movement, which was
coverage focused on the NHS and care with their jobs to ensure founded by Paradigm
workers supporting older people in care people’s lives were three years ago to raise
homes – support workers in the protected. I am humbled the voice of support
community remained a hidden workforce. by their resilience and workers across the UK and
In August, Paradigm published a report, commitment and outraged share, learn, grow, debate
Don’t Ever Call Us Unskilled Again! The that anyone could describe and celebrate the work
title is a direct quote from one support their work as ‘unskilled’.” they do. It recognises the
worker in response to home secretary Sarah Maguire, chief essential characteristics of
Priti Patel MP calling care workers executive, Choice Support a great worker: adventurous; friendly;
“unskilled” in February this year. encouraging; supportive of “my loving”;
The report brings out the voices, The voices in the report highlight: connecting; advocating; respectful;
experiences, ideas and learning of 118 ● How workers responded during the and resourceful.
support workers (who work with people pandemic with thoughtfulness, We have hope, we have each other, we
with a learning disability and/or autism) creativity and dedication have skilled people working in social care
from across the UK during the early days ● Key messages and “must haves” for – let us build on this together to keep
of the pandemic. moving forward beyond the pandemic doing what works, embed the newly
The publication has been well received. (see box) discovered ways of working and getting
● Their plea to be valued and recognised rid of what doesn’t work. n
“It is really refreshing to read something as essential and highly skilled members ● Read or listen to the narrated version of
that actually reflects how I feel. The fact of the social care workforce, not just the report on Paradigm’s website at
it is being published gives me a small now but as society moves forward. https://tinyurl.com/y4p42qwj
amount of hope that someone may take The voices and stories in the report are
notice of us.” Sam Harrison, support a moving expression of what good Sally Warren is managing director of
worker, Integrate Preston support should always look and feel like. Paradigm; Jo Giles is a Paradigm associate

Wise words from the workers: lessons from lockdown

The report has eight key ● ● Coronavirus tests must be should be acknowledged the same way it does to you
messages and six “must available in supported living and supported or me
haves” that have arisen from settings ● ● Society must act responsibly ● ● People should be supported
the pandemic: ● ● Each person should be as lockdown eases to regain and experience
supported to come out of flourishing lives
Key messages lockdown in the way that is ‘Must haves’ for moving ● ● The pay of support workers
● ● Keep building on the right for them forward should be increased
community spirit ● ● The essential role of ● ● Social care must be valued ● ● The natural creativity of
● ● Get ready for a possible support workers during the and receive investment support workers must be
second wave pandemic must be ● ● People with learning harnessed
● ● Supported living settings recognised and supported disabilities need a place to ● ● The voice of support
need clear, timely guidance ● ● Families and unpaid carers live that means “home” in workers must be heard

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