Despite the value of the work they do, many care workers remain lowpaid.
This factsheet sets out any relevant industry agreements and examples of company pay rates which workers can use to check that they’re getting the ‘going rate’ for their job and as evidence to assist in negotiating a better pay deal. See our Getting a Better Deal leaflet for more tips.
The National Minimum Wage is the absolute minimum rate at which any worker (aged 18 and over) can be paid. Pay above this remains a matter of negotiation between the employer and worker, union or works council. Click here for the current rates.
Average Wages
According to the government’s New Earnings Survey for 2001 (latest figures available), the average earnings for care assistants are as follows:
Annually
Hourly
Care assistants
£11615
£5.87
NB. Weekly rates include overtime and bonus payments, hourly rates do not.
Local authority rates
There are no 'industry agreements' which cover care assistants. There are set minimum pay rates for care assistants employed by a local authority which apply nationally, and although in recent years there have been moves within the public sector towards local flexibility, these rates are still important. If you work for a local authority in England and Wales and are employed on national terms you can use the information below to check you’re getting the correct rate. If you work for a private company you can use these rates as a guide to help you negotiate your pay.
Local Authorities (England and Wales) From: 1.4.01. For: 37 hr week
(Grade 4)Care assistant
£10,233
(Grade 5)Home help
£10,554
Holidays: 22 days, 27 after 5 years week
Local authorities (Greater London) From: 1.2.01. Hours: 37 a week
Inner
Outer
(Grade 5)Home help
£13,206
£12,492
Holidays: 22 days, 25 after 5 years week
Local authority rates
Individual councils have local discretion over pay. These are examples of rates paid:
RESIDENTIAL CARE ASSISTANTS LB Kingston-upon-Thames
Min
Max
Wage:
£12,797
£15,690
LB Enfield
Min
Max
Wage:
£11,214
£12,174
West Sussex County Council
Min
Max
Wage:
£10,554
£14,283
Milton Keynes Council
Min
Max
Wage:
£10,875
£12,879
Manchester City Council
Min
Max
Wage:
£13,764
£17,265
HOME CARE ASSISTANTS LB Enfield
Min
Max
Wage:
£11,214
£12,174
LB Kingston-upon-Thames
Min
Max
Wage:
£14,025
£14,907
Milton Keynes Council
Min
Max
Wage:
£10,875
£12,879
Gateshead Council
Min
Max
Wage:
£11,817
£12,390
Other company rates
Jewish Care
Wage: Inner London
£6.17-£6.31phr
Outer London
£5.94-£6.11phr
National
£5.19-£5.33phr
Shaftesbury Society
Wage: London
£5.17-£6.08phr
Anchor Trust
Wage: London
£6.80phr
National (retirement homes) (nursing homes)
£4.10-£4.38phr
£5.20-£5.43phr
Your rights
Once pay rates have been agreed, they form part of the worker's terms and conditions and you have the right to be paid the agreed rate. Employers cannot change any term of a contract without the worker's agreement. See our leaflet on terms and conditions
Low Pay Unit, Jan 2002
Please note that some information contained in this sheet is from IDS Pay Benchmark Directory, November 2001 (produced by Incomes Data Services (www.incomesdata.co.uk))
