The Department of Health has published a report setting out the evidence base for improving pay and terms and conditions across the independent social care sector.

The new report sets out the case for implementing the Real Living Wage (RLW) for independent sector social care staff.

The Social Care Fair Work Forum (FWF) Justification Document provides a comprehensive evidence base to inform and support the Forum’s ongoing work in advocating for greater investment across the social care sector.

Detailed survey work was undertaken with both social care employees and employers in Northern Ireland to understand the sector’s current pay, terms and conditions, Department of Health officials said.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt. Picture: Pacemaker.

placeholder image — Health Minister Mike Nesbitt. Picture: Pacemaker.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “I am pleased to be able to publish today my Department’s Fair Work Forum (FWF) Justification Document, which presents evidence-based arguments in favour of greater investment in the independent social care sector, including implementing a Real Living Wage uplift.

“I remain fully committed to funding the Real Living Wage at the earliest affordable opportunity. This will be a priority for me in the planning of our expenditure for the financial year 2026/27.”

The Ulster University Economic Policy Centre, supported by Morrow Gilchrist Associates Ltd. (MGA), were commissioned by the Social Care Fair Work Forum to develop the report.

It reports that the social care workforce is the largest within the Health and Social Care system in the north.

As of the June 2025 quarterly report, there were a total of 41,825 registered social care workers in NI, and 77.75% of of those workers were employed in the non-statutory /

independent sector. Over 80% of this workforce is female, the majority are aged under 40, and 37% come from outside Ireland or Britain.

The independent social care sector in NI consists of private, community, voluntary, charitable, and church-affiliated organisations that provide residential and nursing home care, supported living arrangements, day care and homecare (domiciliary care).

A survey of over 1,300 workers found that 70% of respondents had considered leaving their current job in the last year and 65% had considered leaving the sector completely.

Factors causing social care workers to consider leaving included low rate of pay (55%), feeling burnt out (40%), work related stress (32%), unsociable hours (21%), lack of promotion or career opportunities (21%).

The 2024/25 Real Living Wage rate (outside London) was £12.60 at the time of this review.

This rate provides a benchmark for employers that voluntarily commit to go further than paying government-set minimum wages, ensuring their staff earn a wage that they can live on.

The RLW rate is announced in October each year, and accredited employers are expected to implement the new rate within six months.

As of October 2025, the the real living wage stood at £13.45 per hour. In April last year the National Living Wage set by the UK government was increased to £12.21 per hour, and is set at £10 per hour for those aged 18 to 20.

The full Social Care Fair Work Forum’s Evidence Base/ Justification Document to Support Implementation of the Real Living Wage (RLW) can be read in full at www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/rlw-justification-report.