Across the UK, more people than ever before want to stay in their own homes while receiving care, and that shift is transforming the entire health and social sector. As a result, domiciliary care workers now play a crucial role in supporting older adults, people with disabilities, and those living with long-term health conditions.
But why exactly is demand increasing? In this blog, we will discuss the reasons behind the rising demand for domiciliary care and the benefits of choosing a career in this field.
What Is Domiciliary Care?
Domiciliary Care is support provided to individuals in their own home. The support includes a range of services offered by a healthcare professional, known as a Domiciliary Care Worker. They visit people’s homes and assist with routine household or domestic tasks, all while promoting independence and maintaining the person’s dignity.
Unlike residential care, individuals feel more comfortable and safe in their own home and surroundings while receiving assistance.
Some of the core tasks of a Domiciliary Care Worker include the following:
- Personal care tasks such as washing, bathing, and dressing.
- Managing the medications.
- Preparing meals and feeding the individual.
- Providing social and emotional support
- Perform household chores
Why Is the Demand for Domiciliary Care Workers Increasing?
The demand for domiciliary care workers in the UK is increasing due to an ageing population, growing preference for home care services, workforce shortages, and special government emphasis on the sector.
Let’s briefly go through each one to better understand them.
Old Population
The population of the UK is getting older. As of mid-2024, out of 100 working-age adults in the UK, 36 people were aged 65 or over. This statistic is only expected to grow in the future. And as people get older, many of them naturally need more day-to-day support.
However, this need remains unmet. According to AgeUK, around 2 million people aged 65 and older currently have unmet care and support needs.
Additionally, there are older individuals with severe health or mobility issues who cannot properly access residential care services. They need care delivered to them at home. That directly drives up significant demand for qualified domiciliary care workers.
Preference For Home Care
Increasingly, people in the UK are looking for personalised care in the comfort of their own homes. Ever since Covid, people are increasingly seeking home treatments. This has also resulted a huge growth in home-based care services. For example, from 2017-2024, there has been a 63% increase in regulated domiciliary care services in England.
Shortage Of Care Staff
Despite high demand for home care services, there is still a shortage of domiciliary carers to meet that demand. For example, the vacancy rate in domiciliary care remains high at about 11.9%.
There is especially high demand for qualified care workers in the National Health Service (NHS) and other private healthcare facilities. Employers look for candidates who possess an accredited Health and Social Care certificate from a recognised institute.
Government & Policy Focus On Community/Home Care
The UK government is actively taking various initiatives to address the ageing population issue by focusing on the health and social care industry. This includes funding, policies, and workforce strategies to facilitate care workers in providing top-class care services. All of these initiatives are driving a demand for care workers, including domiciliary carers.
Benefits Of Working As A Domiciliary Care Worker
The benefits of working as a domiciliary care professional are flexibility, fulfilment, training opportunities, and more. They are as follows;
Highly Rewarding And Fulfilling
Home carers genuinely improve the lives of other people, especially disabled or elderly individuals who, for some reason, are unable to go to a residential care home. These care workers are the reason behind someone’s growth and development, which can feel very rewarding. It’s a role where the fruits of their labour can be measured.
Flexible Working Hours
Home-care roles are ideal for parents, students, or anyone who wants a job that can fit around their personal life. There are also part-time roles in domiciliary care available at many organisations.
Career Progression Opportunities
Domiciliary care professionals often go on to higher roles such as Senior Carer, Team Leader, or Care Manager. With advanced qualifications such as the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care, a care professional can get promoted to higher roles with better pay.
Skill Development
Domiciliary care workers have the opportunity to learn a lot of on-the-job tasks, such as personal care tasks, communication skills, etc. These skills are transferable in nature and can be helpful in other careers, too. Generally, care professionals tend to complete a Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification to learn the latest care practices and stand out from other candidates.
Competitive Pay Scale
Domiciliary carers earn a competitive average salary of £22,000 a year. This figure can be even higher for trained carers who hold accredited qualifications and are more experienced. The location and choice of organisation can also affect the pay scale. Working in prime locations like London can lead to better pay scales.
Final Thoughts
Domiciliary care refers to support delivered to individuals in their own homes. It’s different from residential care, as it involves visiting patients at home rather than having them in a collective setting.
Currently, the demand for domiciliary care workers is high due to an ageing UK population, many unable to benefit from residential care, shifting preferences, workforce shortages, and government initiatives.
There are many benefits to becoming a home care professional. These include self-fulfilment, flexibility, opportunities for progression, skill development, and competitive pay.
