AN increase in salary and a redesign of responsibilities has resulted in more people working for Inverclyde social care service.
A report to the district’s social work and social care scrutiny panel details the impact of a 2022 review which was carried out to look into why there had been an increase in the number of staff leaving the Care at Home service.
In 2016, 33 employees left the service. By 2022/2023 that had increased to 156.
The review found there were a number of factors including the job descriptions and pay grades not reflecting the complexities and responsibilities of the role; and pay rates being similar to, or lower than, entry level jobs in other sectors such as retail, which required less responsibility and mental load.
It was agreed that the role would be upgraded to a social care worker, from grade three to four, increasing the salary. Fast-track recruitment was introduced with same-day interview opportunities alongside a promotional campaign to showcase the job as a valued career choice.
All social care staff experienced an immediate four per cent increase in pay to £26,218 in 2023, above the national poverty line of £21,927. The salary has continued to rise with the gap between the national poverty line also increasing.
The report also notes that as the majority of the social care workforce live in Inverclyde, the increased salary has had a positive impact on supporting the workforce away from relative poverty and shows greater investment in communities.
There has been a sustained decrease in the number of staff leaving. In 2023/24, 86 staff left the service, in 2024/25, that figure was 78 and in 2025/26 it dropped again to 69.
The review has resulted in a more stable workforce with lower turnover and faster recruitment. This has also led to a reduction in the number of delayed discharges in Inverclyde — the number of people who can’t be discharged from hospital as there isn’t a suitable care package at home.
The service was awarded a grade five (very good) by the Care Inspectorate during its most recent inspection in January 2026.
Convener of the social work and social care scrutiny panel, Councillor Francesca Brennan, said: “This is a really positive report and shows how we’ve managed to turn around a difficult situation. There will always be staff turnover but we recognised that this was increasing year-on-year and we had to act.
“We now have more staff, a happier and more skilled workforce and that’s had a knock-on effect on delayed discharges meaning more people are getting home from hospital. I’m delighted with the review and how it’s been implemented and my thanks to all the staff involved.”
