Creating Jobs

Social care markets, and the growth of independent sector provision, raise a question about the likely expansion of employment opportunities. Using three case-study areas, this report looks at the extent and nature of employment within domiciliary care, and identifies two labour markets broadly differentiated by pay, training provision and supervision. The study explores how these conditions result from factors such as market competition, purchasers' decisions, the feminization of care work, unionisation, and budgetary pressures. A survey and interviews with domiciliary care workers indicates their strong commitment to caring despite sometimes poor employment conditions. The report discusses the likely future demand for domiciliary care workers. The research should interest providers, purchasers and policy makers and raises issues concerning regulation, service standards, recruitment and retention of staff as well as the long-term viability of the care market.