Since 2021, Unfair To Care has championed the economic case for investing in social care and the true value of the people who deliver it – a workforce holding up a vital public service, yet paid far less than their NHS equivalents and given little recognition for the complexity of their work.
Today, there are real signs of change. A Fair Pay Agreement is on the horizon, and Baroness Casey’s landmark review of adult social care in England has put the workforce front and centre – acknowledging both the scale of the challenge and the crucial role of the people who deliver care every day.
But significant challenges remain. A 28.6% structural pay divide – equivalent to £7,048 a year – still separates social care workers from comparable NHS roles. This progress matters but narrowing the gap is not the same as closing it.
Providers are already absorbing an average 9% unfunded rise in operating costs in 2025/26, putting further strain on a sector that has long operated without the financial foundations it needs. Funded interim pay uplifts will be essential to stabilise the workforce and protect the progress already made.
Unfair To Care 2026 – ‘Signs of Change’ charts how far we’ve come, what’s still at stake and what it will take to go the distance. Because the people who deliver care, the people who depend on it, and the families who love them cannot afford to wait.
Explore the findings and join us in calling for a fairer future for social care.
5 Key Facts From The Report
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28.6%
Pay difference between Support Workers and their NHS counterparts
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£7,048
The equivalent cash uplift needed to achieve pay parity
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1.21 million
The number of direct care workers in England
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9%
The average rise in operating costs for care providers in 2025/26
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7%
The overall adult social care vacancy rate, three times the UK-wide rate of 2.3%
Read our previous reports
Ways you can support
1. Email your MP
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2. Share campaign assets on Social Media
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For all media enquiries relating to the campaign please email unfairtocare@c-i-c.co.uk
Download our press release Download our press releaseAbout Community Integrated Care
Community Integrated Care is one of Britain’s biggest and most successful social care charities. We support thousands of people across England and Scotland who have care and support needs, such as learning disabilities, mental health concerns, autism, dementia and complex care needs, to lead The Best Life Possible. We are proud to have been recognised for our impact and innovation as the Charity Times ‘Charity of the Year’, and at sector honours such as the Skills for Care Accolades, National Care Awards and Great British Care Awards.
We believe that social care is the backbone of society. It is underfunded, under-appreciated and needs progressive reform to ensure fair pay for colleagues and fair care for all. That’s why our national strategy, ‘We Dare’, makes an absolute commitment to championing the sector – our colleagues, communities and the people we support. We are determined to fight for this cause with partners across the sector and society to ensure that it can be fair to care.