Fair Work in Care – More Than Just a Buzzword

We keep hearing the term ‘fair work’ in the care sector. It’s a fine phrase, but ask any carer what it really looks like and the answer is clear: decent pay, secure contracts, time to care properly, and being treated like a professional—not a disposable resource.

Sadly, that’s still not the reality for many.

Carers in Scotland are often underpaid, undervalued, and expected to deliver high-quality support without the time or tools to do so. The emotional labour of care—the quiet grief, the relentless patience—is invisible in most policy documents.

We know how much carers give. Fair work should reflect that. It’s not too much to ask to be paid a proper wage, to have breaks, and to be included in decisions that affect your work and your wellbeing.

The Carers Companion is helping carers to connect and speak up. Real change doesn’t come from the top down—it comes when people on the frontline raise their voices together.