- Conference
- 2026 National Community Conference and Seminar
- Date
- 5 November 2025
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes the introduction of a Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) for adult social care in England has been recognised as a major step toward tackling the chronic low pay, poor conditions, and high turnover that have plagued the sector for years. Scotland and Wales will also have FPAs, but these may be broader in scope, covering both adult and children’s care. Conference further notes that the FPA is a crucial issue for the many social care members in the Community Service Group.
UNISON was instrumental in securing a commitment from the Government to introduce the first ever FPA for Social Care, backed by £500 million of funding to improve pay and conditions for the adult social care workforce. However, the first FPA is not scheduled until 2028 and there is no clear commitment from government to provide interim funding to address the immediate crisis in social care pay.
Staff shortages, burnout, and recruitment challenges continue to reduce service quality, with many providers in the third sector struggling to meet legal and contractual obligations due to insufficient funding. Social care workers in the third sector — overwhelmingly women and disproportionately from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds — remain among the lowest paid in the public service landscape, despite providing vital care and support to those who need it.
Interim funding is needed now to stabilise the workforce and ensure continuity of care. An FPA must be meaningful — setting sector-wide minimum terms and conditions, including pay rates that reflect the skilled and essential nature of care work. Without interim financial support from central government, social care providers in the third sector will not be able to prepare for or sustain the uplift that the FPA is designed to deliver. UNISON must continue to lead the campaign for fair pay and proper funding in social care, ensuring that no worker is left behind while the sector awaits reform.
Conference calls on the Community Service Group Executive to:
1)Campaign for interim government funding for social care providers including those in the third sector before 2028 to support workforce retention and pay progression across the UK ahead of the FPAs.
2)Work with other social care stakeholders to press for funding that ensures the FPA can be implemented effectively and sustainably.
3)Highlight the link between fair pay, quality of care, and the stability of the social care system in all UNISON campaigning and media activity.
4)Produce campaign materials for branches to use locally, explaining the importance of interim funding and how members can take action.
5)Work with UNISON Labour Link, the National Executive Council and other stakeholders including lobbying political parties in positions of power and influence in Scotland, and Cymru/Wales and Northern Ireland to highlight the need for fair funding allocations for pay in social care.
6)Report back to the 2027 National Community Conference on progress, including engagement with ministers, cross-party MPs, and sector stakeholders.